On November 25, 2012, a tropical depression developed to the south of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Initially tracking northwest and later due west under the influence of a strong subtropical ridge to its north, the system intensified into a tropical storm the following day at which time it received the name Bopha.
The storm passed roughly 65 km (40 mi) south of the Nomoi Islands early on November 28.
After slowly intensifying for several days Bopha underwent a period of rapid intensification from November 30 to December 1, with its central pressure falling from 990 mbar (hPa; 29.39 inHg) to 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg).
The system reached its initial peak intensity on December 2 with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated Bopha to have been a much stronger storm, with one-minute sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph), a high-end Category 4 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).

Around 06:00 UTC, Bopha passed 100 km (65 mi) south of Babeldaob island in Palau while at its initial peak.
Shortly thereafter it made its closest approach the nation, tracking roughly 55 km (35 mi) south of Angaur island.
After clearing Palau, Bopha ultimately intensified further before making a devastating landfall on Mindanao in the Philippines.
The JTWC estimated its peak intensity at 280 km/h (175 mph), a Category 5 on the SSHWS.
The storm resulted in up to 1,901 fatalities in the country and tremendous infrastructural damage.
Land interaction substantially weakened the system by the time it emerged over the Sulu Sea.
Turning north, Bopha briefly weakened to a tropical storm on December 6 before undergoing another period of rapid intensification.
After reaching its tertiary peak on December 7, hostile wind shear caused dramatic weakening.
In a 24‑hour span, the typhoon's central pressure rose by 55 mbar (hPa; 1.62 inHg) while its winds fell from 170 km/h (105 mph) to 75 km/h (45 mph).
Bopha soon degraded to a tropical depression and dissipated off the northwestern coast of Luzon early on December 9.
On November 25, 2012, a tropical depression developed to the south of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Initially tracking northwest and later due west under the influence of a strong subtropical ridge to its north, the system intensified into a tropical storm the following day at which time it received the name Bopha. The storm passed roughly 65 km (40 mi) south of the Nomoi Islands early on November 28. After slowly intensifying for several days Bopha underwent a period of rapid intensification from November 30 to December 1, with its central pressure falling from 990 mbar (hPa; 29.39 inHg) to 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg). The system reached its initial peak intensity on December 2 with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated Bopha to have been a much stronger storm, with one-minute sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph), a high-end Category 4 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).
Around 06:00 UTC, Bopha passed 100 km (65 mi) south of Babeldaob island in Palau while at its initial peak. Shortly thereafter it made its closest approach the nation, tracking roughly 55 km (35 mi) south of Angaur island. After clearing Palau, Bopha ultimately intensified further before making a devastating landfall on Mindanao in the Philippines. The JTWC estimated its peak intensity at 280 km/h (175 mph), a Category 5 on the SSHWS. The storm resulted in up to 1,901 fatalities in the country and tremendous infrastructural damage. Land interaction substantially weakened the system by the time it emerged over the Sulu Sea. Turning north, Bopha briefly weakened to a tropical storm on December 6 before undergoing another period of rapid intensification. After reaching its tertiary peak on December 7, hostile wind shear caused dramatic weakening. In a 24‑hour span, the typhoon's central pressure rose by 55 mbar (hPa; 1.62 inHg) while its winds fell from 170 km/h (105 mph) to 75 km/h (45 mph). Bopha soon degraded to a tropical depression and dissipated off the northwestern coast of Luzon early on December 9.
Effects of Typhoon Bopha in Micronesia and Palau