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Typhoon Muifa Brings Wind and Rain to Eastern China

Typhoon Muifa brought wind and rain to eastern China on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 31.8°N and longitude 121.5°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) east of Shanghai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Typhoon Muifa brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of eastern China near Shanghai on Wednesday afternoon. The center of Typhoon Muifa made an initial landfall on the east coast of China southeast of Shanghai near Ningbo. Although Muifa was weakening at the time it made landfall, the northern part of the eyewall was still intact. The strongest winds and heaviest rain were occurring in that part of the eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also revolving around the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Muifa’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa will move along the east coast of China. Muifa will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain as it moves along the coast. Heavy rain could fall over coastal areas of Jiangsu and Shandong. Heavy could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Merbok was moving quickly toward the far western Aleutian Islands and Tropical Storm Nanmadol was strengthening southwest of Iwo To. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Merbok was located at latitude 35.5N and longitude 163.2°E which put it about 1355 miles (2185 km) south-southwest of Kiska, Alaska. Merbok was moving toward the north at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Strm Nanmadol was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Iwo To. Nanmadol was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Typhoon Muifa Moves Toward Eastern China

Typhoon Muifa moved toward eastern China on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 123.7°E which put it about 280 miles (450 km) south-southeast of Shanghai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Mauifa exhibited good organization on Tuesday morning. A circular eye was present at the center of Muifa. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The wind field around Typhoon Muifa way very symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.9. Typhoon Muifa was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 24 hours. The increase in wind shear and cooler water will cause Typhoon Muifa to weaken gradually.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa will make landfall on the east coast of China south of Shanghai in 18 hours. The center of Muifa could make landfall near Ningbo. Typhoon Muifa will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations in eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok strengthened north-northwest of Wake Island and Tropical Depression 16W also strengthened southwest of Iwo To. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 26.2N and longitude 162.7°E which put it about 500 miles (805 km) north-northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression 16W was located at latitude 22.6N and longitude 139.6°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) southwest of Iwo To. The tropical depression was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Typhoon Muifa Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Muifa brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 25.2°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) north of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Muifa continued to bring wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday. The center of Typhoon Muifa was moving slowly away from Ishigakijima. The strongest winds were measured in Ishigakijima after the eye passed over. A weather station on Ishigakijima measured a sustained wind speed of 68 m.p.h. (109 km/h). The same weather station measured a surface pressure of 968.3 mb when the eye of Typhoon Muifa passed over it. The weather station measured 11.71 inches (297.5 mm) of rain during the passage of Muifa. Bands in the eastern side of Muifa’s circulation also dropped heavy rain over Miyakojima.

The circulation around Typhoon Muifa remained well organized on Monday. A circular eye was present at the center of Muifa’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Muifa. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.9. Muifa was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. However, an upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 36 hours. The increase in wind shear will cause Typhoon Muifa to start to weaken.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. The strong winds and locally heavy rain in the southern Ryukyu Islands will gradually diminish during the next 24 hours as Typhoon Muifa moves farther away. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could approach the east coast of China south of Shanghai in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok continued to strengthen northwest of Wake Island. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 162.8°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Eye of Typhoon Muifa Passes over Ishigakijima

The eye of Typhoon Muifa passed directly over Ishigakijima on Sunday night. A weather station on Ishigakijima measured a surface pressure of 968.3 mb. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) east of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Muifa developed two concentric eyewalls and began an eyewall replacement cycle as it slowly approached Ishigakijima on Sunday. The inner end of rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall and a larger outer eyewall surrounded them. Low level convergence became concentrated in the outer eyewall and the thunderstorms in the inner eyewall weakened. The remnants of the inner eyewall were visible on satellite images as a ring of showers and lower clouds. The outer eyewall had a diameter of 60 miles (95 km). The strongest winds were occurring in the outer eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused Typhoon Muifa to weaken as it approached Ishigakijima. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.4. Typhoon Muifa was capable causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa could intensify during the next 24 hours after the inner eyewall completely dissipates. Since Typhoon Muifa will move slowly, its winds could mix cooler water up to the surface of the ocean. Cooler water would limit potential intensification.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. Typhoon Muifa will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. The strongest winds and heaviest rain are likely to affect Ishigakijima. Gusty winds and locally heavy rain could also affect Miyakojima. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could approach the east coast of China near Shanghai in 60 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok was slowly strengthening west-northwest of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 161.6°E which put it about 365 miles (595 km) west-northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the east-northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit Drops Very Heavy Rain on Taiwan

Tropical Storm Lupit dropped very heavy rain on Taiwan on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 120.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Taipei, Taiwan. Lupit was moving toward the east at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Bands of rain on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lupit dropped very heavy rain over much of Taiwan on Friday. Radar estimates of the rainfall by Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau were as high as two feet (0.6 meters) in some locations. Southerly and southeasterly winds on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lupit were pushing air up the slopes of mountains on Taiwan. The enhanced rising motion was contributing to prolonged periods of very heavy rain. The very heavy rainfall was creating a very high danger of widespread flash floods.

Tropical Storm Lupit began to strengthen slowly after the center of circulation moved over the Taiwan Strait. The circulation around Lupit was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms and highest wind speeds were in bands on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lupit. Bands in the western half of Lupit consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Northerly winds circulating around the western side of the tropical storm were transporting drier air into the western half of Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles on the eastern side of Lupit. The in the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Lupit toward the east during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Lupit could be near Taipei in six hours. Lupit will continue to drop very heavy rain over Taiwan during the next 12 hours and the risk of flash floods will be very high. The high pressure system will steer Tropical Storm Lupit toward the northeast during the weekend. Lupit could also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to portions of the Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next several days. Lupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the northeastern part of an upper level ridge. The upper level winds are weaker in that part of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Lupit is likely to intensify during the weekend unless the center passes over northern Taiwan. If the center crosses northern Taiwan, then mountains will disrupt the low level circulation.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Mirinae was spinning south of Japan and Tropical Storm Nida was speeding away to the east of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 29.0°N and longitude 137.3°E which put it about 480 miles (775 km) south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Mirinae was moving toward the east-northeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Nide was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 156.6°E which put it about 775 miles (1250 km) east-southeast of Misawa, Japan. Nida was moving toward the east-northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Tropical Storms Lupit, Mirinae and Nida Spin over Active West Pacific

Tropical Storms Lupit, Mirinae and Nida were spinning over an active Western North Pacific Ocean on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 23.8°N and longitude 117.3°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Yunxiao, China. Lupit was moving toward the northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit was dropping heavy rain along the coast of Fujian province. A band of heavy rain on the eastern periphery of Lupit was just west of Taiwan. Tropical Storm Lupit is forecast to move northeast along the east coast of China during the next 24 hours. Lupit is likely to weaken slowly while the center is near the coast. Tropical Storm Lupit could strengthen during the weekend if the center moves farther over the ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-northeast of Okinawa. Mirinae was moving toward the east-northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Mirinae is forecast to move toward the northeast and to strengthen. Mirinae could be south of Japan by this weekend. Weather conditions in Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands should improve when Tropical Storm Mirinae moves farther away.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nida was located at latitude 33.9°N and longitude 148.2°E which put it about 490 miles (790 km) east-southeast of Tokyo. Nida was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb. Westerly winds in the middle latitudes are forecast to carry Tropical Storm Nida farther away from Japan during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Lupit Makes Landfall in Eastern China

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the coast of eastern China just to the south of Shantou on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 116.9°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south-southeast of Shantou, China. Lupit was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the northeastern part of the coast of Guangdong province south of Shantou and east of Chaoyang. Lupit strengthened before landfall and the maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Lupit. The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Lupit’s circulation that were over water. Strong thunderstorms developed recently near the center of Tropical Storm Lupit. Those thunderstorms were producing gusty winds and they were dropping locally heavy rain.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lupit toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lupit will move along the east coast of China. The center of Lupit could pass near Xiamen in about 24 hours. Tropical Storm Lupit will weaken while the center is over land. However, Lupit could strengthen again if the center moves over the East China Sea. Tropical Storm Lupit will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northeast coast of Guangdong province and the coastal part of Fujian province.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 14W was passing west of Okinawa and Tropical Storm 15W developed southeast of Japan. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 14W was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 126.5°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) west of Okinawa. The depression was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm 15W was located at latitude 32.1°N and longitude 147.4°E which put it about 510 miles (825 km) southeast of Tokyo,, Japan. The tropical storm was moving toward the north at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Kujira Forms West of Wake Island

Tropical Storm Kujira formed west of Wake Island on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kujira was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 158.5°E which put it about 515 miles (830 km) west of Wake Island.  Kujira was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Kujira was moving around the eastern side of an upper level low.  The upper low was causing vertical wind shear which was causing the distribution of thunderstorms to be asymmetrical.  There were few thunderstorms near the center of the circulation.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands east and south of the center of Kujira.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Kujjira.  The winds in the other parts of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Kujira will move through an environment favorable for intensification after it moves away from the upper level low.  When Kujira moves away from the upper low, the vertical wind shear will decrease.  Tropical Storm Kujira will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Kujira will intensify when the wind shear decreases.   It could strengthen into a typhoon in two or three days.

The upper level low will pull Tropical Storm Kujira toward the northwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Then Kujira will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Tropical Storm Kujira toward the north for 24 to 36 hours.  Kujira will eventually be steered toward the northeast when it reaches the westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Kujira will pass well to the east of Japan.

Typhoon Lingling Speeds Toward Korea

Typhoon Lingling sped toward the Korean peninsula on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Lingling was located at latitude 34.8°N and longitude 125.0°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Mokpo, South Korea.  Lingling was moving toward the north at 30 m.p.h. (48 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and thee were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Typhoon Lingling was weakening gradually while it was speeding toward the north.  Lingling was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 26°C.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia was producing strong southerly winds which blowing toward the top of the typhoon.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Typhoon Lingling was also pulling in drier air from Asia around the southern side of the circulation.  Even though it was weakening, Lingling remained a dangerous typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  The stronger winds were primarily in the eastern half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 220 miles (350 km) from the center.

The upper trough over eastern Asia was steering Typhoon Lingling rapidly toward the north.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lingling could reach the west coast of North Korea in less than 12 hours.  Lingling will be capable of causing serious damage.  It will also drop locally heavy rain over the Korean peninsula which could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Faxai strengthened into a typhoon east of iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Faxai was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 145.6°E which put it about 325 miles (520 km) east of Iwo To.  Faxai was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.  Typhoon Faxai is forecast to move toward the northwest and strengthen.  Faxai could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  Typhoon Faxi could approach the area around Tokyo, Japan in less than 72 hours.

Typhoon Lingling Strengthens to the Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Lingling intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane over the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Lingling was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 125.4°E which put it about 200 miles (325 km) southwest of Okinawa.  Lingling was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

Typhoon Lingling quickly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Wednesday night.  A circular eye was at the center of Lingling.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Lingling.  Storms around the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (325 km) from the center.

Typhoon Lingling will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Lingling will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Lingling is likely to intensify on Thursday.  At some point an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Lingling to weaken.

Typhoon Lingling will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Lingling toward the north during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lingling will pass west of Okinawa during the next 24 hours.