Strongest April tropical cyclone on record anywhere on earth by a large margin
Super Typhoon Surigae reached a crazy intensity for April as it peaked early on Sunday at a minimum central Mean Sea Level pressure (MSLP) of 888 hPa according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre(JTWC) and 895 hPa according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA).
This is the most intense tropical cyclone in April anywhere on earth on record by a large margin.
This is crazy as the strongest tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere typically occur during the second half of the year. Furthermore, a La Niña had just ended and La Niña normally suppresses Western pacific tropical cyclone activity.
The maximum 1 minute sustained winds so far is at 165 knots (305 km/h/ 190 mph) significantly above that required for a category 5 classification and drawing with that of the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide for any month by minimum MSLP, Super Typhoon Tip in October 1979 which had a minimum MSLP of 870 hPa ( it had a larger diameter).
Satellite estimated central Mean Sea Level Pressure (MSLP):
This is the most intense tropical cyclone in April anywhere on earth on record by a large margin.
This is crazy as the strongest tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere typically occur during the second half of the year. Furthermore, a La Niña had just ended and La Niña normally suppresses Western pacific tropical cyclone activity.
The maximum 1 minute sustained winds so far is at 165 knots (305 km/h/ 190 mph) significantly above that required for a category 5 classification and drawing with that of the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide for any month by minimum MSLP, Super Typhoon Tip in October 1979 which had a minimum MSLP of 870 hPa ( it had a larger diameter).
Satellite estimated central Mean Sea Level Pressure (MSLP):
Infrared satellite loop as it passed its peak intensity:
Microwave imagery as it passed its peak intensity:
Lightning strikes around the super typhoon:
Satellite derived vertical wind shear at its peak intensity:
Satellite derived 850 hPa vorticity at its peak intensity:
Satellite derived low level wind convergence at its peak intensity:
Satellite derived upper level wind divergence at its peak intensity: