In brief
In an unprecedented weather event, the Philippines is facing four simultaneous tropical storms for the first time in recorded history during November, leading to mass evacuations and significant damage.
On November 13, 2024, weather experts confirmed that four tropical storms—Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi, and Man-yi—are concurrently developing in the North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, marking an extraordinary moment in meteorological history. Expected to either impact or have already passed over the Philippines, these storms are causing unprecedented concern in a month typically not known for such storm activity.According to Gene Huang from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the region has never seen more than three tropical storms at once in November. The typical peak for typhoon activity in the Philippines occurs from July through October, with an annual average of twenty storms. Records maintained since 1961 show that November had previously seen a maximum of three storms at one time, with the last such occurrence in 2009, as noted by Olivia Shuk-ming Lee of Hong Kong Observatory.Abnormal weather conditions this year have contributed to these simultaneous storms, with high-pressure areas causing tropical storms to develop farther north and remaining active longer than usual. Although it remains uncertain if climate change directly causes this unusual number of storms, increasing sea surface temperatures may play a role. The consequences of these storms are already being felt in the Philippines. Typhoon Yinxing made landfall last week as a powerful Category 4 storm, resulting in the evacuation of over 160,000 residents. Typhoon Toraji struck on Monday, leaving tens of thousands without power as it approached Hong Kong, leading to canceled kindergarten classes.The Philippines' civil defense office is bracing for further impact, as Usagi and Man-yi are projected to make landfall imminently on Luzon, the archipelago's most populated island. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday evening that the government is ready to assist affected areas, with rescue teams in place waiting until the storms pass.
