Attachments
Tropical cyclones have always been a menace to both military and civilian activities in tropical and subtropical oceanic regions. During recent times, much effort has been funneled toward more accurate tropical cyclone forecasts and toward more efficient operational responses to those forecasts. A large portion of this effort is based on studies which, if meaningful, must be based on accurately documented data. The Annual Typhoon Report represents such documentation. The body of this report is a summary of the tropical cyclones that occurred during 1977 in the western North Pacific, central North Pacific and North Indian Oceans.
The Annual Typhoon Report is prepared by the staff of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). JTWC is a combined USAF/USN entity operating under the command of Fleet Weather Central, Guam. The senior Air Force officer assigned is designated as Director, JTWC and is responsible to the Commanding Officer, Fleet Weather Central, Guam for the operation of the JTWC. The senior Naval officer of the JTWC is designated as the Deputy Director/Operations Officer. JTWC was established by CINCPACFLT message 280208Z April 1959 when directed by CINCPAC message Z30233Z April 1959. Its operation is guided by the CINCPAC INST 3140.1 (series).
The Fleet Weather Central/Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Guam has the responsibility to:
1. Provide continuous meteorological watch of all tropical activity north of the equator, west of the Date Line, and east of the African coast (JTWC area of responsibility) for potential tropical cyclone development;
2. Provide warnings for all tropical cyclones in the assigned area of responsibility;
3. Determine tropical cyclone reconnaissance requirements and assign priorities;
4. Conduct an annual post analysis of all tropical cyclones occurring within the area north of the equator from 140W west to the coast of Africa and prepare an Annual Typhoon Report for issuance to interested agencies; and
5. Conduct tropical cyclone forecasting and detection research as practicable.
In the event of incapacitation of the JTWC, the alternate (AJTWC) assumes the responsibility for the issuance of warnings. In early November, 1977, Fleet Weather Central, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was designated as the AJTWC. Assistance in determining tropical cyclone reconnaissance requirements and in obtaining reconnaissance data is provided by Detachment 4, 1st Weather Wing, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Previously, the AJTWC designate was Detachment 17, 30WS, Yokota AB, Japan, with assistance from the Naval Weather Service Facility, Yokosuka, Japan.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center, (CPHC) Honolulu, Hawaii is manned by members of the U. S. National Weather Service who are responsible for the issuance of tropical cyclone warnings for the area north of the equator from the Date Line east to 140W. Warnings are issued in coordination with the Fleet Weather Central, Pearl Harbor and Detachment 4, lWW, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Post analysis information is forwarded to the JTWC for inclusion in the Annual Typhoon Report.
The meteorological services of the United States are planning to implement the metric system of measurement over the next few years. Some civilian and military agencies have started the education program by showing the metric equivalents to current units of measure. This Annual Typhoon Report includes metric equivalents to most measures.
Unless otherwise stated all satellite data used in this ATR is Air Force Weather Service DMSP Data as acquired by OL-C, 27CS personnel and analyzed by Det 1, lWW personnel colocated with JTWC at Nimitz Hill, Guam.