E. TYPHOON GEORGIA (12—14, AUGUST 1959)
For several days beginning on 10 August, a weak, i1l-defined low pressure system was forming in the vicinity of Guam. A Weather reconnaissance aircraft, directed into the area, located Tropical Depression FRAN approximately 60 miles north of the island at 111200Z. However, some 12 hours later, it was evident that a second center induced by a fracture of the upper air polar trough was forming approximately 400 miles to the north of FRAN. Again a reconnaissance aircraft was sent to investigate and, at 120100Z, Tropical Storm GEORGIA was located at 22.4N — 145.2E with maximum observed surface winds of 45 knots. GEORGIA subsequently became the predominant circulation and FRAN quickly dissipated. At 120900Z, eight hours after initial detection, Tropical Storm GEORGIA was upgraded to a typhoon with center winds of 65 knots.
For twenty-four hours Typhoon GEORGIA moved in a northwesterly direction at an average speed of 14 knots. During this time GEORGIA passed 40 miles northeast of Iwo Jima and 50 miles southwest of Chichi Jima. During the passage of the typhoon, Iwo Jima reported maximum winds of 40 knots with gusts to 53 knots and Chichi Jima reported maximum winds of 30 knots with gusts to 48 knots. The reason neither of the islands experienced stronger winds was due to the fact that in the early stages GEORGIA was a "tight" circulation with maximum winds concentrated within a small distance of the center. After passing Chichi Jima, GEORGIA accelerated and increased in intensity reaching her peak at 130908Z when reconnaissance aircraft reported surface winds of 120 knots. She then turned to a north-northwesterly course and moved
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