1961 Pacific typhoon season

none WPac 1961 1961 Pacific typhoon season summary map.png January 14, 1961 December 14, 1961 Nancy 185 882 53 35 20 8 (unofficial) At least 308 1 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 1961 Atlantic hurricane season 1961 Pacific hurricane season 1961 North Indian Ocean cyclone season The 1961 Pacific typhoon season was an extremely active season, having a total of 35 tropical storms, with 20 of them reaching typhoon strength and 8 further strengthening into super typhoons, as well as an accumulated cyclone energy index of 365.6. The season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1961, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator, and west of the International Date Line. Storms that form east of the dateline and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 1961 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical storms formed in the entire west pacific basin were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Tropical depressions in this basin had the "W" suffix added to their number. Seasonal summary Systems Tropical Storm Rita WPac Tropical Storm Rita analysis 17 Jan 1961.png Rita 1961 track.png January 14 January 19 nwpstorm storm 40 996 A tropical low developed from the ITCZ about 140 miles to the south of Eauripik on January 8.http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/swm/1961/19610108.pdf Northern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Map 1961 United States of America Department of Commerce 26 December 2013 The low gradually deepened as it moved west-northwest during the following days. Early on January 14, the system organized itself enough to be classified as a tropical depression. The next day the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Rita by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Rita reached a peak intensity of 45 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal surface pressure of 996 hPa inHg on on January 16.National Climatic Data Center 2013 26 December 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Rita IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r01/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961014N07141.ibtracs_all.v03r01.csv At this time a cold front to the north and a subtropical ridge positioned behind it forced the storm to turn sharply to the north-northeast.http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/swm/1961/19610116.pdf Northern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Map 1961 United States of America Department of Commerce 26 December 2013 Rita began to, at this time, weaken, and became a depression on January 17. It remained a depression for the next three days. On January 19 Rita weakened to a remnant low and became attached to the tail-end of a passing front. By the 21 what was left of Rita became fully absorbed by the aforementioned front.http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/swm/1961/19610121.pdf Northern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Map 1961 United States of America Department of Commerce 26 December 2013 Rita stayed largely at sea with little to minor effects to Palau or to the Mariana Islands, besides some rain and squally weather. Tropical Depression Susan WPac Tropical Storm Susan analysis 28 Feb 1961.png Susan 1961 track.png February 27 March 1 nwpdepression storm 40 1006 Susan was a short-lived tropical storm that didn't impact land. Typhoon Tess WPac Typhoon Tess analysis 28 Mar 1961.png Tess 1961 track.png March 24 March 31 typhoon 135 940 Between March 21 and 22, winds aloft and surface observations in Truk Atoll (now Chuuk Lagoon) indicated a weak tropical storm passing south of the atoll and was intensifying. A reconnaissance aircraft on March 23 indicated a weak circulation, with winds of about 30 km/h mph on. The next day, another reconnaissance aircraft mission revealed Tess had winds of about 85 km/h mph on, issuing the first alert on Tropical Storm Tess. On March 25, Tess upgraded to typhoon status south of Yap, with maximum surface winds of about 140 km/h mph on. Reports from Yap indicated a minimum atmospheric pressure of 989 hPa inHg on. Tess began to recurve after passing Yap, and by March 28, Tess reached its peak intensity, with winds of about 250 km/h mph on 3. After peaking peak intensity, Tess started to weaken, and recurved on March 30. The final advisory was issued on March 31, as winds fell below 50 km/h mph on. Some considerable damage was reported during the storm. On March 25 at 2255Z, maximum peak gusts reached 90 km/h mph on. 3.6 in mm on of rain fell during its passage, with no rise in tides. Preliminary reports showed some significant damage to trees and houses. No deaths were reported from Tess.Annual Typhoon Report 1961 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA399621.pdf 2025-04-25 Tropical Depression Viola WPac Tropical Storm Viola analysis 9 Apr 1961.png Viola 1961 track.png April 9 April 11 nwpdepression storm 50 1004 Viola hit Vietnam as a tropical depression. Typhoon Alice WPac Typhoon Alice analysis 18 May 1961.png Alice 1961 track.png May 17 May 20 typhoon cat1 75 980 Typhoon Alice formed to the east of the Philippines on the 17th of May. Alice quickly strengthened and passed directly over Hong Kong with gusts of 85 mph on the 18th before recurving through the Chinese Mainland. The hurricane signal was again like Mary in 1960, not strictly justified as sustained winds were far-fledged from hurricane force. Sustained winds in Hong Kong never reached hurricane force; maximum 60-minute winds reached 90 km/h in Waglan Island and 83 km/h at the RHKO. 4 people were killed and 20 people were injured in Hong Kong.http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1961atcr/pdf/chapter4.pdf Chapter IV: Individual Typhoons of 1961 Joint Typhoon Warning Center United States Navy 2013-04-02 2011-06-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110606232911/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1961atcr/pdf/chapter4.pdf June 6, 2011 Typhoon Betty WPac May 22 May 28 Typhoon Betty analysis 24 May 1961.png Betty 1961 track.png typhoon cat4 130 946 On May 20, the precursor to Betty became a closed vortex south of Koror, Palau. On May 22, a reconnaissance aircraft mission indicated winds of about 110 km/h mph on 1, causing them to issue a tropical storm warning. Later that day, a typhoon warning was issued. Betty moved northwest toward Taiwan at an average speed of 18.52 km/h mph on. On May 25, Betty peaked with winds of 240 km/h mph on, with a minimum atmospheric pressure of 946 hPa inHg on. Later that day, the typhoon passed less than 10 mi km on west-southwest of Batan Island. Betty made landfall on Taiwan's east coast, with wind speeds of 166 km/h mph on 1. It moved across the island at an average speed of 33 km/h mph on 1. The storm recurved northeast and hit China's east coast, and then moved into Korea on May 28. At 1200Z on May 28, the last warning was issued as it transitioned into an extratropical storm. In Batan Island, winds reached 185 km/h mph on on May 25. Betty caused extensive damage to crops in Taiwan due to flooding.Annual Typhoon Report 1961 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA399621.pdf 2025-04-26 Typhoon Cora WPac Typhoon Cora analysis 23 June 1961.png Cora 1961 track.png June 22 June 25 typhoon cat1 70 987 The origins of Cora can be traced a series of lows that formed on June 19. By June 22, the pressure dropped to 995 hPa inHg on, with winds of around 46 km/h mph on 1, which led to the first warning as a tropical depression. Cora existed between a westerly flow near the equator and an anticyclone. Movement of Cora northward across this trough added an eastward component, and later a westerly component that became the predominant direction. Cora later intensified to typhoon strength and moved toward Vietnam. Between June 23 and 24, Cora had wind speeds of 130 km/h mph on 1. The final warning was issued after Cora made landfall 120 km/h mph on south of Vinh. Possible damage could have occurred to shipping or in small islands.Annual Typhoon Report 1961 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA399621.pdf 2025-04-26 Tropical Storm 13W WPac 13W 1961 track.png June 25 June 29 nwpstorm depression 40 99613W was a short-lived weak tropical storm. It formed south of Japan on June 25. It made landfall in Japan and dissipated on June 29. Tropical Storm Doris WPac Tropical Storm Doris analysis 30 June 1961.png Doris WPac 1961 track.png June 27 July 3 nwpstorm storm 45 990A tropical depression formed east of the Philippines on June 27. It traveled north-northwest and intensified into a tropical storm. It was named Doris. The storm made landfall in China, and continued to travel northwest to inland. The storm then turned northeast and went out sea. The storm dissipated on July 3. Typhoon Elsie WPac Elsie 1961 track.png July 6 July 16 typhoon cat1 80 975Elsie hit Taiwan and Guangdong. Tropical Storm Flossie WPac Flossie 1961 track.png July 11 July 19 nwpstorm storm 45 992Flossie hit Luzon and Hong Kong as a tropical storm. Tropical Depression Grace WPac Grace 1961 track.png July 18 July 25 nwpdepression storm 40 997Grace formed on July 18. It traveled north and hit Korea. Typhoon Helen WPac Helen 1961 track.png July 22 August 3 typhoon cat2 90 970 Helen hit Korea as a tropical storm. Typhoon Ida WPac Ida 1961 track.png July 27 July 31 typhoon cat1 80 980 Ida hit Japan as a tropical depression. Typhoon June WPac June 1961 track.png August 1 August 8 typhoon cat2 95 960 20 people were killed from heavy rain and mudslides, when 90 mph Typhoon June hit southeastern Taiwan on August 6. JMA Tropical Storm Fourteen WPac JMA TS 14 1961 track.png nwpstorm August 8 August 10 1000 The storm was short-lived and didn't make landfall. Typhoon Kathy WPac Kathy 1961 track.png August 13 August 18 typhoon cat1 80 988 Kathy hit Japan as a tropical storm. Typhoon Lorna WPac Lorna 1961 track.png August 19 August 27 typhoon cat4 120 950 Lorna formed on August 19 east of the Philippines. It rapidly intensified into a category 4 typhoon. Lorna weakened before making landfall in Taiwan and Fujian. The storm dissipated on August 27. Tropical Storm Marie WPac Marie 1961 track.png August 28 September 5 nwpstorm storm 50 998 On September 29, a tropical depression formed with 30-knot winds. The system tracked westwards, briefly intensifying into a tropical storm. The system made landfall on the Japanese island of Shikoku a tropical depression.EDIS, p. 21 Tropical Storm Olga WPac Olga 1961 track.png September 4 September 11 nwpstorm cat1 70 985 On September 4, a low developed off of the eastern coast of the Philippines. Upon crossing into the South China Sea, the low became more organized and started dropping in pressure. On September 8, the system was upgraded to a tropical storm. The system continued to strengthen, and on September 9, it was designated as a typhoon by the JTWC. Typhoon Olga made landfall 50 kilometers to the northeast of Hong Kong, killing 7 people, mostly due to landslides. The system rapidly deteriorated over land and dissipated 180 kilometers to the northwest of Hong Kong.http://www.hko.gov.hk/informtc/historical_tc/cdtc.htm Casualties and Damage Caused by Tropical Cyclones in Hong Kong since 1960 Hong Kong Observatory The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 2013-01-10 2013-04-02 2015-05-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150516012539/http://www.hko.gov.hk/informtc/historical_tc/cdtc.htm deadNAA, p. 590 Typhoon Pamela WPac Pamela 1961 path.png new September 5 September 13 typhoon cat5 155 910 Typhoon Pamela, which formed on September 8, rapidly intensified to a peak of 180 mph on the 11th. Pamela weakened to a 145 mph typhoon by the time it hit eastern Taiwan late on the 11th, and after crossing the island and the Taiwan Strait, the storm hit eastern China as a 65 mph tropical storm. Pamela dissipated on the 12th, after causing 98 casualties (with 27 missing), $5 million in damage (1961 USD), and leaving 50,000 homeless. Typhoon Nancy WPac Super Typhoon Nancy 61.JPG Nancy 1961 path.png new September 6 September 17 typhoon cat5 187 882 Typhoon Nancy (1961) Tropical Storm Nancy, having developed on September 7 in the open West Pacific, rapidly intensified to reach super typhoon status early on the 9th. Nancy continued to strengthen and reached peak winds of 215 mph (187 knots) on the 12th. Such intensity is speculative, as Reconnaissance Aircraft was in its infancy and most intensities were estimates. Furthermore, later analysis indicated that equipment likely overestimated Nancy's wind speed; if the measurements were correct, Nancy would have been tied with Hurricane Patricia for the highest wind speeds for a tropical cyclone on Earth. Regardless, Nancy was a formidable typhoon and retained super typhoon status until the 14th as it neared Okinawa. The typhoon turned to the northeast, and made landfall on southern Japan on the 16th with winds of 100 mph. It continued rapidly northeastward, and became extratropical on the 17th in the Sea of Okhotsk. Well executed warnings lessened Nancy's potential major impact, but the typhoon still caused 172 fatalities and widespread damage. Tropical Storm Ruby WPac Ruby 1961 track.png September 20 September 24 nwpstorm storm 55 992 Ruby hit the Philippines and Vietnam. Typhoon Sally WPac Sally 1961 track.png September 23 October 1 typhoon cat1 70 980 Sally hit China as a category 1 typhoon. Typhoon Tilda WPac Typhoon Tilda 1961.png Tilda 1961 track.png September 25 October 5 typhoon cat5 140 925 A circulation was first reported from a ship 300 miles west of Guam on September 26. The system then quickly intensified into a typhoon and made a northward turn directly towards Japan. During this period, a favorable environment allowed the typhoon to intensify to peak winds of 160 mph. The storm then turned westwards, passing 15 miles under Okinawa. The town of Naha, Okinawa received sustained winds of 85 mph with gusts of 120 mph. The much-weakened typhoon made landfall on the Chinese mainland 100 miles south of Shanghai on October 4. It caused 11 deaths, over $6 million in crop damage, and the Lebanese merchant ship Sheik ran aground off of Kitadaitōjima, killing 2. The Taiwanese military exercise Sky Soldier was canceled due to the typhoon. The system then recurved outwards due to westerly winds into the Sea of Japan with sustained winds of 30 mph. The remnants began an extratropical transition and dissipated in the Sea of Okhotsk.NAA, p.591 Typhoon Violet WPac Typhoon Violet analysis 8 Oct 1961.png Violet 1961 path.png new October 2 October 10 typhoon cat5 180 895 Violet was first observed as a small circulation to the southwest of Marcus Island. On October 2, the system had organized enough to warrant further investigation. After a few days of observation, a report of tropical-storm-force winds was relayed back to the JTWC and on October 4, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Violet. Violet took an unusual track, moving in a southern direction after formation. This was due to its location west of a high-pressure system, which the storm struggled to move around. After completing a curve to the south of the ridge, Violet quickly intensified into a typhoon. The movement of the subtropical ridge to the east resulted in Violet turning abruptly to the northwest. Violet continued to intensify and soon reached its peak intensity, on October 7, with sustained winds of 205 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal surface pressure of 886 hPa inHg on;National Climatic Data Center 2013 14 June 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Violet IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961276N22152.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv however, the wind readings during this era of reconnaissance were erroneously high. Violet moved in a smooth path northward and clipped the Boso Peninsula area of Japan, near Tokyo. After landfall, Violet began to transition into an extratropical cyclone and continued to move northward. By October 10, Violet had become fully extratropical. Violet was an intense storm, yet did not impact any landmass at or near peak intensity. On Guam damages were light, mostly consisting to crop damage. The effects on Japan were generally minimal due in part to early preparation. A 9124-ton freighter, The Pioneer Muse, was left stranded on the Daitō Islands during the passing of the typhoon on October 9. All men on board were saved and later the cargo of military hardware was scavenged.United States Weather Bureau Rosendal Hans Mariners Weather Log January 1962 Six one 24 Another ship, The Sheik, also was stranded a few miles from The Pioneer Muse, it would later break in two due to rough seas. Two fatalities were reported in Japan due to the passage of Violet. Tropical Storm Wilda WPac Tropical Storm Wilda analysis 12 Oct 1961.png Wilda 1961 track.png October 5 October 13 nwpstorm storm 60 990 Wilda was first recorded on October 5 over the South China Sea, near the western coast of Luzon. The system moved to the southwest, neared the coast of Vietnam, but abruptly turned in the opposite direction on October 8. The depression completed an elongated clockwise loop and continued to the southeast. The depression gradually deepened and by October 11 Wilda became a tropical storm while curving in a west direction. Wilda reached a peak intensity of 70 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal surface pressure of 990 hPa inHg on before making landfall on Vietnam.National Climatic Data Center 2013 5 April 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Wilda IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961279N17119.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv Wilda proceeded to dissipate a short time later. Wilda contributed to an already rain-drenched area of Cambodia and Vietnam. The extra rain caused the flood level to reach the highest since 1937 along the Mekong River. Tropical Depression Anita WPac Tropical Storm Anita analysis 19 Oct 1961.png Anita 1961 track.png October 18 October 21 nwpdepression storm 35 1004 Anita first formed to the north of Busuanga Island on October 18. It traveled in a generally westward direction over the South China Sea, and intensified into a tropical storm later that day. On October 19 the storm weakened slightly before making landfall on Vietnam. Anita rapidly weakened into a remnant low on October 20. The low tracked over Indochina before emerging over the Bay of Bengal and completely dissipated on October 22.National Climatic Data Center 2013 2 April 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Anita IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961291N12120.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv The remaining moisture may have helped aid the development of a tropical depression, on October 22, near present-day Rakhine.India Meteorological Department Government of India 1961 26 June 2014 India Weather Review, 1961:Annual Summary http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/cd020_pdf/004D8DBA.pdf Impact, if any, was minimal or discernable from the previous tropical system Wilda, which had struck a week before. Typhoon Billie WPac Typhoon Billie analysis 26 Oct 1961.png Billie 1961 track.png October 18 October 29 typhoon cat1 70 970 Billie originated from an extensive area of low pressure near Pohnpei. The Japan Meteorological Agency first picked up on the system on October 18 as it tracked to the west. The organization, at first, was poor as multiple vortices were present within the circulation. One of these vortices split from the main circulation and became a weak tropical depression while it moved southwest. Over the next few days, one circulation became dominant and the whole system began to strengthen. The first warning was issued by the JTWC on October 23, by that time the cyclonic radius extended over 1,000 nautical miles from the center. Quickly the system strengthen into a tropical storm, and by midday October 24, had become a typhoon. Billie began to curve to the north during this time; passing to the south of Guam. The radius of Billie had also decreased to 750 nautical miles, which remained constant throughout the rest of its life. The size of Billie's eye was comparable to the extensive radius of the circulation. At times the eye measured over 180 miles in diameter, an eye size not matched by any of the other typhoons during this season. By this time, October 26, Billie had reached a peak intensity of 80 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal surface pressure of 961 hPa inHg on.National Climatic Data Center 2013 1 April 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Billie IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961291N08159.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv The large typhoon continued almost straight north, maintaining its intensity, before encountering a polar front. It merged with the associated low-pressure area near the Kuril Islands on October 30. At this point, Billie had completely translated into an extra-tropical low and passed over the Kamchatka Peninsula. Despite Billie's rather large size, it did not pass over any significant landmass. The biggest impact on land was at Iwo Jima where strong winds and excess rain occurred. No damage; however, was reported. Billie contributed to the sinking of a Japanese freighter, The Fukazan Maru. A leak in the vessel's hold caused the ship to slowly sink. All 47 crew members were rescued and safely transported to Guam. Typhoon Clara WPac Typhoon Clara analysis 28 Oct 1961.png Clara 1961 track.png October 25 November 1 typhoon cat1 75 985 Clara had formed from a vortex embedded within the ITCZ near Enewetak Atoll. The circulation was pulled north by the influence of Typhoon Billie. The storm had organized enough that by October 25 it was classified as a tropical depression by the JMA. Gradually intensifying as it moved to the northeast, the first warning was issued by the JTWC on October 26 as sea surface reports indicated Clara was a tropical storm. By October 27 Clara had intensified into a typhoon and started a small clockwise loop that was completed by October 28. Soon after Clara had reached a peak intensity of 85 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal surface pressure of 984 hPa inHg on.National Climatic Data Center 2013 31 March 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Clara IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961298N17166.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv Moving in a westward direction Clara weakened back into a tropical storm. Clara continued to gradually weaken over the next few days, performing swaying movements in its track. On November 1 Clara turned to the north and transitioned into an extra-tropical low after encountering a polar front. Clara remained mostly over the open ocean during its life; however, its path did near a few minor islands. No damage was reported, but there were possibilities that damage to shipping or small islands occurred. Typhoon Dot WPac Typhoon Dot analysis 11 Nov 1961.png Dot 1961 track.png November 7 November 15 typhoon cat5 140 930 The origin of Dot can be traced back to a compact low-pressure center over open water to the east of Guam on November 7. Moving in a zig-zag pattern the system quickly organized into a typhoon late on November 8. Initially, it wasn't until November 9 that when pilots traversing the Pacific reported the existence of an area of severe weather to the northeast of Guam. Reconnaissance investigation of the storm had found a fully developed typhoon. It was likely, due to the small size of Dot, that it would not have been discovered before it reached the Mariana Islands, had it not passed through a route used by trans-Pacific aircraft. Dot moved in a near westward direction after being discovered, passed through the Mariana Islands, and gradually intensifying into a category five super typhoon to the northwest of Guam. On November 11 Dot reached a peak intensity of 160 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal surface pressure of 923 hPa inHg on.National Climatic Data Center 2013 31 March 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Dot IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961312N14153.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv During this time Dot began to curve to the northeast, weakening gradually from the influence of a trough to the north. By November 13 the typhoon had weakened to a category three and was accelerating to the northeast. This motion was carried on for three days before Dot transitioned into an extra-tropical low on November 15. The extra-tropical low traversed the rest of the Pacific Ocean and made landfall over Southern California on November 20. The low continued over the Rocky Mountains, weakened, then regenerated over the western Gulf of Mexico states. From there it crossed into the Atlantic Ocean and was finally absorbed by another low-pressure area off the East Coast on November 26.United States Weather Bureau United States Weather Bureau 1962 3 April 2013 The Weather and Circulations of November 1961 http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/090/mwr-090-02-0071.pdf Impacts from Dot were mostly confined to its passing of the Mariana Islands. Damage to Alamagan was substantial. The extra-tropical low of Dot dumped one to five inches of rain over the Southwest U.S. and contributed to excessive rainfall over the New England area. Typhoon Ellen WPac Typhoon Ellen analysis 8 Dec 1961.png Ellen 1961 track.png December 5 December 14 typhoon cat4 130 945 Ellen originated from a low-pressure area near Chuuk Lagoon where data supported a closed circulation; However, it had soon moved into a data void to the south of Guam early in December. The low developed into a tropical depression with well-defined spiral storm bands and a closed circulation early on December 5. The depression moved westward and passed to the north of Palau. It organized itself into a tropical storm on December 7 and underwent rapid intensification. By the December 8, the cyclone had become an intense typhoon with winds of 115 mph km/h on 5 and a sea surface pressure of 970 hPa inHg on. An eyewall was observed during this time. By December 9, Ellen had reached a peak intensity of 150 mph km/h on 5 and a minimal pressure of 946 hPa inHg on.National Climatic Data Center 2013 30 March 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dead Ellen IBTrACS File ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/v03r04/all/csv/storm/Storm.1961339N08137.ibtracs_all.v03r04.csv During this time Ellen made its closest approach to land. Ellen began to weaken on December 10 as it curved to the northeast. By December 11, the typhoon reached secondary peak intensity, and small hail was observed within the eye during this time. On December 13, the circulation had become poorly defined and Ellen weakened back to a tropical storm. Ellen dissipated on December 14 while moving in a northeastern direction out into the open ocean.Joint Typhoon Warning Center United States Navy 1962 2013-04-02 Annual Typhoon Report 1961 http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1961atcr.pdf 2020-10-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20201023110525/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1961atcr.pdf dead Ellen was the most destructive typhoon of 1961 for the Philippines. Impacts from Ellen were most severe on Catanduanes island when the center passed within ten miles from the northern point of the island. The eye during this time was about thirty-six miles across and had winds of 150 mph within the eyewall. Damages were placed at about $500,000 at the Coast Guard Loran Stationloran-history.info 1961 30 March 2013 TYPHOON ELLEN http://www.loran-history.info/catanduanes/Typhoon%20Ellen.pdf 20 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131220093723/http://www.loran-history.info/catanduanes/Typhoon%20Ellen.pdf dead while damage elsewhere is estimated at ₱2 million. Several people were reported either missing or dead.United States Weather Bureau 1961 Republic of the Philippines Annual Report of the Weather Bureau Fiscal Year 1960-61 https://books.google.com/books?id=7lZLAAAAYAAJ&q=Typhoon%20Ellen%201961 A Panamanian freighter carrying logs to Hong Kong sank in the South China Sea, near the Spratly Islands, due to squally weather on December 9. Thirty-three of the crew members were lost to the turbulent sea.United States Weather Bureau Rosendal Hans Mariners Weather Log May 1962 Six three 101 Storm names Agnes Bess Carmen Della Elaine Faye Gloria Hester Irma Judy Kit Lola Mamie Nina Ora Phyllis Rita 1W Susan 4W Tess 5W Viola 6W Winnie 9W Alice 10W Betty 11W Cora 20W Doris 19W Elsie 26W Flossie 28W Grace 30W Helen 31W Ida 32W June 33W Kathy 39W Lorna 42W Marie 49W Nancy 52W Olga 51W Pamela 50W Ruby 53W Sally 54W Tilda 55W Violet 56W Wilda 58W Anita 60W Billie 62W Clara 63W Dot 66W Ellen 69W Fran Georgia Hope Iris Joan Kate Louise Marge Nora Opal Patsy Ruth Sarah Thelma Vera Wanda Amy Babs Charlotte Dinah Emma Freda Gilda Harriet Ivy Jean Karen Lucy Mary Nadine Olive Polly Rose Shirley Trix Virginia Wendy See also Tropical cyclones 1961 Atlantic hurricane season 1961 Pacific hurricane season 1961 North Indian Ocean cyclone season 1960s Australian region cyclone seasons Australian region cyclone seasons: 1960–61 1961–62 South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1960–61 1961–62 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1960–61 1961–62 Sources Climatological Data 1962 National Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climatic Center Mariners Weather Log 1962 Environmental Data and Information Service References 2 External links Japan Meteorological Agency Joint Typhoon Warning Center https://web.archive.org/web/20100301105349/http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC 2010-03-01 . China Meteorological Agency National Weather Service Guam Hong Kong Observatory Macau Meteorological Geophysical Services Korea Meteorological Agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration Taiwan Central Weather Bureau Digital Typhoon - Typhoon Images and Information Typhoon2000 Philippine typhoon website 1960 Pacific typhoon 1961