Okinawa typhoon season ends Dec. 1 Published Dec. 2, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- 18th Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Brett Williams, declared Dec. 1 the official end to the typhoon season when he issued the "All Clear" for military installations on Okinawa. Weather officials say this season has been the least active for Okinawa since 1998. This year, the Typhoon Cyclone Condition of Readiness in Okinawa never went below TCCOR 3, something that hasn't happened in more than eight years. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center tracked 27 tropical systems in the West Pacific; 21 turned into tropical storms and only 10 became typhoons. Tropical Storm Sinlaku passed 100 nautical miles north of Okinawa in September, making it the closest storm to pass the island this season. The maximum wind speed Kadena experienced from Sinlaku was 42 knots per hour. Based on U.S. Forces Japan Instruction 15-4001, the typhoon season is June 1 to Nov. 30 each year. However, as the TCCOR authority for all Department of Defense installations on Okinawa, the 18th Wing commander can direct TCCOR changes at anytime and can start the season early or extend the season as needed. "The season ended on time," said Capt. Jeremy Alexander, Kadena Weather Flight commander. "However, we did go into seasonal TCCOR 4 approximately one week early because we had three tropical storms pass within 200 nautical miles of Okinawa in mid-May." According to weather officials, changes to the standard dates are made based on the observed and forecasted weather information available at the time. "Specifically, if there are any tropical storms threatening to impact Okinawa before or after the season," said Capt. Alexander, "we can make the recommendation to the wing commander and change TCCORS." Tropical cyclones can form at any time of the year in this region. So it is important for all personnel to stay alert and be ready to take precautionary actions if a storm does develop and threaten Okinawa. "For those who just arrived to Okinawa this year, a slow typhoon season can breed complacency in following years," said Capt. Alexander. "After the relatively inactive 2003, the 2004 season was extremely active, with Okinawa going into TCCOR 1E (experiencing 50 knot winds or greater) five times. "Each season is different," Capt. Alexander said. "So the same level of preparedness is required every year to assure we protect the people and resources required to conduct our mission."