While we're on the topic of Typhoons...

[wxmann_91]

Let's not forget the King of Phillippine typhoons... STY Zeb in 1998.

I'd thought some of the more dedicated Hurricane nuts would like to see this ... I nearly had a heart attack when I saw these images. WHAT A MONSTER!!! Both Xangsane and Cimaron could fit inside this guy...

http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Tropica ... 86A_GM.gif

http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Tropica ... 86B_GM.gif

[Typhoon Hunter]

STY Zeb was an absolute beast. Phillipines has really taken a battering this past month!

[Aslkahuna]

Reminds me of STY June in 1975. Actually I have seen larger ones than that cross Luzon. In 1967 STY Carla crossed Luzon at about 18N or so as a Cat 5 intensity Super at landfall. Mactan Island at 10N some 500+ miles away from the center reported gusts to 55kt.

Steve

[Jim Cantore]

I belive Zeb is the strongest landfalling system on record (or tied for it)

I remember it well.

[Aslkahuna]

I rechecked the 1967 ATCR and Carla peaked at 160kt but was at 100kt when it made landfall. However, it still produced 55kt gusts at Mactan. The important thing to remember about the NE coast of Luzon is that it's a virtual wall to any storm making landfall there-especially the strong storms which are highly organized and in which the inflow is restricted to the levels from H85 down. When the storm hits, the lower levels are shredded apart and the mid levels keep moving. The residual vorticity in the mid level circulation will intiate redevelopment off the west coast of the island as it moves off and the two will recouple and the storm begins to reintensify. So although a storm may make landfall with 155kt winds, they will not last long at all as the storm decouples with the LLCC unable to make over the mountains.

Steve