Tag Archives: Catanduanes Island

Potentially Catastrophic Typhoon Goni Nears Luzon

Potentially catastrophic Typhoon Goni neared Luzon on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Goni was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 126.9°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) east-northeast of Labo, Philippines. Goni was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 180 m.p.h. (290 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 220 m.p.h. (355 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 898 mb.

Typhoon Goni exhibited a double eyewall structure sometimes seen in very intense tropical cyclones. There was a small inner eye with a diameter of 6 miles (10 km). That eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that inner eyewall. A second, outer eyewall with a diameter of 35 miles (56 km) surrounded the inner core of Typhoon Goni. Storms near the core of Gone generated strong upper level divergence which pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of so much mass allowed the surface pressure to remain very low. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Goni increased in size when the double eyewalls formed. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Goni. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Goni was 42.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 55.8. Typhoon Goni was capable of causing catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Goni will move through an environment favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 12 hours. Goni will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. An eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Goni to start to weaken. If the original inner eyewall dissipates and convergence becomes concentrated into the new outer eyewall, then the wind speed will decrease. However, Goni is likely to maintain much of its intensity until it reaches Luzon.

Typhoon Goni will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Goni toward the west. On its anticipated track Typhoon Goni will be near Cataduanes Island in 12 48 hours. Goni could be near Manila in 24 hours. Typhoon Goni is capable of causing catastrophic damage to Luzon. Goni could generate a storm surge of up to 20 feet (6 meters) along the coast of southeastern Luzon. Typhoon Goni will drop heavy rain over parts of Luzon and flash floods are likely.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Atsani moved north of Yap. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Atsani was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 138.2°E which put it about 1060 miles (1705 km) east of Luzon. Astani was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1001 mb. Tropical Storm Atsani was forecast to move toward the northwest and to strengthen.

Typhoon Vongfong Nears Landfall in Samar

Typhoon Vongfong neared landfall in Samar on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Vongfong was located near latitude 12.2°N and longitude 125.8°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) east of Dolores, Philippines.  Vongfong was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and  there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Typhoon Vongfong was a small but strong tropical cyclone.  There was a small circular eye at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Typhoon Vongfong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Vongfong was 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 5.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.8.  Typhoon Vongfong was capable of causing localized serious damage.

Typhoon Vongfong will move around the western end of a high pressure system centered southeast of Japan.  The high will steer Vongfong toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Vongfong will make landfall on the coast of northern Samar north of Dolores during the next 6 to 12 hours.  The center of Vongfong could be near Laoang in about 12 hours.  Typhoon Vongfong could move over southeastern Luzon later on Thursday.  The center of Vongfong could be near Legaspi in 18 hours.

The small inner core of Typhoon Vongfong will be capable of causing localized serious wind damage in northern Samar and southeastern Luzon.  Vongfong could bring strong winds to Dolores, Laoang, Catarman, Bulan, Sorsogon and Legaspi.  Typhoon Vongfong will drop locally heavy rain over northern Samar, southeastern Luzon and Catanduanes Island.  Flash floods could occur in some locations.  Vongfong could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) in parts of northern Samar and southeastern Luzon.

Vongfong Rapidly Intensifies Into a Typhoon East of Samar

Former Tropical Storm Vongfong rapidly intensified into a typhoon east of Samar on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Vongfong was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 127.6°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) east of Dolores, Philippines.  Vongfong was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

Typhoon Vongfong rapidly intensified on Wednesday from a strong tropical storm into a typhoon.  A small circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  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 Vongfong.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of mass was allowing the surface pressure to decrease quickly, which caused the rapid intensification.

The circulation around Typhoon Vongfong was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Vongfong was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.4 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.2.  Typhoon Vongfong was capable of causing localized serious damage.

Typhoon Vongfong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Vongfong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  It will move under a small upper level ridge east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds in the ridge are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Vongfong will continue to intensify rapidly in the short term.  Vongfong is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 6 to 12 hours.

Typhoon Vongfong will move around the western end of a high pressure system centered southeast of Japan.  The high will steer Vongfong toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  Typhoon Vongfong will start to move more toward the north-northwest in a day or so, when it nears the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Vongfong could approach northern Samar in about 18 hours.  Vongfong could approach Catanduanes Island and southeastern Luzon in about 24 hours.  Outer bands on the western side of Typhoon Vongfong could start to drop heavy rain over parts of Samar during the next 12 to 18 hours.

Typhoon Kammuri Strengthens As It Nears Southeast Luzon

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened as it neared southeast Luzon on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 126.0°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) east- southeast of Manila, Philippines and about 160 miles (260 km) east of Legaspi.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 959 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened on Sunday.  An ellipitical eye with a mean radius of 30 miles (50 km) cleared out at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Kammuri.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

The wind field around Typhoon Kammuri became more symmetrical on Sunday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.1.  Typhoon Kammuri was capable of causing serious damage.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Kammuri could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane before it reaches southeastern Luzon.  Kammuri will start to weaken after the center moves over land.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Kammuri will pass between Samar and Catanduanes Island before making landfall near Sorsogon on southeast Luzon.  The center of Kammuri will pass near Legaspi, Tabaco and Ligao.

Typhoon Kammuri will be capable of causing major damage in the Philippines.  Kammuri will bring strong winds to southeast Luzon.  Typhoon Kammuri could also produce winds to near typhoon force in Virac on Catanduanes Island.  Kammuri could produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) in locations where the wind blows water toward the coast.  Typhoon Kammuri will drop locally heavy rain over southern Luzon.  Flash floods could occur, especially in areas of steeper slopes.

Typhoon Kammuri Moves Closer to the Philippines

Typhoon Kammuri moved closer to the Philippines on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 130.5°E which put it about 685 miles (1100 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 19 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri appeared to be getting better organized on Saturday night.  Visible satellite images of Kammuri  suggested that an eye was clearing out at the center of the typhoon.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around much of the developing eye.  There was still a gap on the northwestern side of the eyewall, but the gap was getting smaller.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the more organized core of Typhoon Kammuri.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles from the center of circulation in the northern half of Typhoon Kammuri and out 25 miles in the southern side of the typhoon.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (355 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kammuri was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.9.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours.  Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Kammuri will intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  Intensification could be more rapid once an eye and eyewall are full formed.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system that extends from eastern Asia to the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west during the next three days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kammuri could approach Catanduanes Islands and southeastern Luzon in about 36 hours.  Kammuri could be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.