Flo was a tropical cyclone in the Western North Pacific during the 1990 typhoon season. According to official meteorological records maintained in NOAA's International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), the system spanned two weeks from September 8, 1990, through September 22, 1990, reaching peak sustained winds of 120.0 knots (222.2 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 890.0 mb.
Intensity Measurements
Intensity metrics assessed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) responsible regional center in Tokyo document a deep, high-intensity cyclone:
- Maximum Sustained Wind: 120.0 knots (222.2 km/h)
- Minimum Central Pressure: 890.0 mb
- Wind and Pressure Basis: Official WMO responsible agency (Tokyo)
Track and Chronology
Flo's lifecycle comprised 113 recorded track points along a single continuous main path. The system was first recorded on September 8, 1990, at 5.5°N, 170.5°E in the low latitudes of the Pacific. Over the following days, the storm moved generally west-northwestward across the basin, before recurving toward higher latitudes and traveling northeastward into the mid-latitudes, where the final track observation was recorded on September 22, 1990.
Across its entire path, Flo's mean track position was centered at latitude 21.75°N and longitude 146.03°E.
| Date and Time (UTC) | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1990-09-08 00:00:00 | 5.5°N | 170.5°E |
| 1990-09-11 12:00:00 | 9.6°N | 151.8°E |
| 1990-09-15 00:00:00 | 20.2°N | 135.5°E |
| 1990-09-18 12:00:00 | 29.4°N | 131.0°E |
| 1990-09-22 00:00:00 | 47.3°N | 178.8°E |
Data Archive Information
The historical record for Flo is indexed under system identifier 1990251N06171 in IBTrACS version v04r01. The dataset compiles post-season best-track analyses from Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers, including the Japan Meteorological Agency in Tokyo, ensuring a verified historical record for climate and meteorological research.
Frequently asked questions
When did Cyclone Flo occur?
Cyclone Flo was active from September 8, 1990, to September 22, 1990, in the Western North Pacific basin.
What was the peak intensity recorded for Flo?
According to the WMO responsible agency (Tokyo), Flo reached peak maximum sustained winds of 120.0 knots (222.2 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 890.0 mb.
How many track observations were recorded for Flo?
The IBTrACS dataset includes 113 official track observations for Flo between its formation and its final recorded position.
Image credits
- NOAA / Satellite and Information Service — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.