Tropical Storm Mawar Nears Landfall in China

Tropical Storm Mawar moved closer to a landfall in China on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Mawar was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 116.4°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) east of Hong Kong.  Mawar was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Mawar is very asymmetrical.  Most of the thunderstorms are located south of the center of circulation.  A primary rainband is just south of the center of circulation and there are several other bands farther south of the center.  Recent visible satellite images suggest that the eastern end of the primary rainband could be trying to wrap around the center.  Thunderstorms in the primary rainband were generating some upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the southwest of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Mawar will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 18 hours.  Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge centered over China is producing northeasterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are generating moderate vertical wind shear.  Those winds may also be the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Mawar could intensify before it makes landfall in China.

Tropical Storm Mawar is being steered slowly toward the west-northwest by a ridge near Japan.  That general motion is expected to continue for the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Mawar will make landfall in China east of Hong Kong in 12 to 18 hours.  Mawar will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Guangdong province.  The rain could contribute to flooding in some locations.  Mawar is likely to weaken steadily after it makes landfall.