After Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung‑Wong) hit northern Luzon, social media buzzed with claims that the Sierra Madre mountain range “broke the eye” of the storm. Images showed a well-defined eye before landfall and a degraded one afterward, leading many to credit the mountain range with weakening the super typhoon.
The mountains as a natural buffer
The Sierra Madre is the Philippines’ longest mountain range, stretching along eastern Luzon.
Meteorologists and disaster management experts say such mountains can:
-
Disrupt the storm’s circulation by creating friction and forcing winds upward.
-
Increase rainfall on the eastern slopes, which can sap energy from the cyclone.
-
Weaken typhoons after landfall, as storms lose energy over land and rugged terrain.
In short, the mountains can reduce a storm’s intensity, but they do not automatically “break” its eye.
What the science shows
-
PAGASA bulletins noted Uwan’s eye became less distinct after landfall near Dinalungan, Aurora.
-
Satellite images confirm the eye degraded as the storm crossed Luzon.
-
However, there is no peer-reviewed or official scientific study confirming that the Sierra Madre alone caused the eye to collapse. Other factors, like natural weakening after landfall and storm dynamics, also play a role.
Why this matters
Understanding how terrain affects typhoons is important for disaster preparedness.
Mountains like the Sierra Madre can help reduce wind speeds and storm intensity.
But residents should not rely solely on geography for protection. Evacuation and early-warning systems remain critical.
The takeaway
The Sierra Madre likely helped weaken Super Typhoon Uwan.
Claims that it “broke the eye” are more anecdotal than scientifically proven, however. It’s best described as a natural buffer, not a miracle barrier.
About The Author
