Tag Archives: Chuuk

Tropical Storm Sanvu Spins Northeast of Chuuk

Tropical Storm Sanvu was spinning over the Western North Pacific Ocean northeast of Chuuk on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Sanvu was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 156.0°E which put it about 345 miles (555 km) northeast of Chuuk. Sanvu was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

Tropical Storm Sanvu strengthened during Thursday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Sanvu’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Even though Tropical Storm Sanvu strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms became more asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Sanvu’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Sanvu.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sanvu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. However, it will move under the northern side of an upper level ridge over the equatorial Western North Pacific. The ridge will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Sanvu’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Stronger vertical wind shear is likely to cause Tropical Storm Sanvu to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sanvu toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sanvu will pass north of Chuuk and Fananu during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Sanvu Develops Northwest of Pohnpei

Tropical Storm Sanvu developed over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Pohnpei on Wednesday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sanvu was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 156.8°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) north-northwest of Pohnpei. Sanvu was moving toward the northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

Former Tropical Depression 01W strengthened on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Sanvu. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Sanvu’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sanvu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the equatorial Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Sanvu could intensify during the next 24 hours. Sanvu will move under the northern side of the upper level ridge on Friday and the vertical wind shear will increase. Tropical Storm Sanvu is likely to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sanvu toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sanvu will move farther away from Pohnpei. Sanvu will be northeast of Chuuk and Fananu on Thursday evening.

Tropical Depression 01W Forms South of Pohnpei

Tropical Depression 01W formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Pohnpei on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 01W was located at latitude 5.2°N and longitude 158.2°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) south of Pohnpei. Tropical Depression 01W was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Pohnpei strengthened on Wednesday morning and both the Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified the system as a tropical depression. The circulation around Tropical Depression 01W exhibited more organization on Wednesday morning. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Depression 01W. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression 01W will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the equatorial Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Depression 01W is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression 01W will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression 01W will pass west of Pohnpei. The tropical depression could be northeast of Chuuk and east of Fananu on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Wutip Forms Southeast of Chuuk

Tropical Storm Wutip formed southeast of Chuuk on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Wutip was located at latitude 4.6°N and longitude 155.2°E which put it about 295 miles (475 km) southeast of Chuuk.  Wutip was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

A Typhoon Watch was issued for Puluwat and Satawal.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Nukuoro, Losep, and Chuuk.  A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Fananu and Ulul.

Thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of Chuuk on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Wutip.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Wutip and those storms were starting to generate upper level divergence.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed in the northern and western portions of the circulation.  Bands south and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds although there were a few thunderstorms in some of those bands.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (245 km) from the center of circulation in the northern half of Wutip and out about 100 miles (160 km) in the southern half of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Wutip will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Wutip will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge east of Tropical Storm Wutip will produce easterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear.  However, the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Wutip will intensify during the next several days.  Wutip could strengthen into a typhoon with 24 to 36 hours.  A period of rapid intensification could occur once an inner core becomes more well organized.  Tropical Storm Wutip could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane in three or four days.

Tropical Storm Wutip will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Wutip toward the northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wutip could approach Guam in three days.  Wutip is likely to be a typhoon at that time.

Tropical Storm Man-yi Forms Southeast of Chuuk

Tropical Storm Man-yi formed southeast of Chuuk on Tuesday.  At 7:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 4.8°N and longitude 154.2°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) southeast of Chuuk.  Man-yi was moving toward the west 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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Guam and Rota.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Chuuk Lagoon, Lukunor, Losap, Fananu, Ulul, Pulawat and Satawal.  Typhoon Watches were issued for Faraulep and Pulawat.

Tropical Depression 34W exhibited greater organization on satellite imagery and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Man-yi.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band west of the center.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing around Tropical Storm Man-yi.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Man-yi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Man-yi will intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon in a day or two.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Storm Man-yi toward the west-northwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  A weakness is forecast to develop in the ridge, which would allow Man-yi to move more toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Man-yi will move near Chuuk in 12 to 24 hours.  It will bring gusty winds and drop heavy rain.  Man-yi could be southeast of Guam in 36 to 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean Tropical Depression 33W was dropping rain over parts of the central Philippines and Tropical Depression Toraji was moving over the Gulf of Thailand.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression 33W was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 126.8°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east-southeast of Tacloban, Philippines.  It was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1004 mb.

At 4:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Depression Toraji was located at latitude 8.1°N and longitude 101.1°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east of Hua Sai, Malaysia.  Toraji was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Yutu Forms Southeast of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Yutu formed southeast of the Marianas on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yutu was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put it about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Guam.  Yutu was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1002 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area or thunderstorms northeast of Chuuk and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Yutu.  The circulation around Yutu was organizing quickly.  An inner band of showers and thunderstorms was wrapping around the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming and they were starting to revolving around the center.  Storms near the center were producing upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Yutu will be moving through an environment that is very favorable for intensification.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and there will little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Yutu could strengthen into a typhoon within 36 hours and it could rapidly intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane within three or four days.

Tropical Storm Yutu will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days.  The ridge will steer Yutu toward the northwest during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Yutu will approach the Marianas in about three days.  It will likely be a typhoon by that time.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Near Fananu, Watch Issued for Guam

Tropical Storm In-Fa is near Fananu and it is bringing wind and rain to islands around Chuuk.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located near latitude 8.6°N and longitude 152.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Fananu and about 620 miles (1000 km) southeast of Guam.  In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Guam.  A Typhoon Warning is in effect for Chuuk lagoon, Losap, Ulul and Fananu.

In-Fa was briefly a typhoon earlier on Wednesday when it had a small, but well formed eye.  However, the core of In-Fa weakened slightly and the eye filled with clouds.  A small, but circular, area of thunderstorms has intensified in the core of the tropical storm during the past few hours.  There are signs that In-Fa may be strengthening again.  The environment surrounding Tropical Storm In-Fa is favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  The upper level winds are light and the vertical wind shear is modest.  In-Fa could regain typhoon intensity on Thursday and a period of rapid intensification may be possible once the inner core reorganizes.

A subtropical ridge north of In-Fa is steering the tropical storm toward the northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for another two or three days.  On its anticipated track the center of In-Fa will pass near Fananu during the next few hours.  In-Fa could be south of Guam in about 48 hours.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Intensifying, Typhoon Watch for Fananu

Tropical Storm In-Fa intensified quickly on Tuesday and it caused watches and warnings to be issued for the area around Chuuk.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 6.0°N and longitude 156.3°E which put it about 385 miles (620 km) east-southeast of Fananu and about 985 miles (1590 km) east-southeast of Guam.  In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest 18 m.p.h. (29 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 983 mb.  A Typhoon Watch has been issued for Fananu.

The circulation of Tropical Storm In-Fa organized rapidly on Tuesday.  A tight core formed in the center of circulation and an eyelike feature appeared on satellite images.  A small ring of thunderstorms formed around the eye and a large primary rainband wrapped around the circulation.  The circulation became more symmetrical and upper level outflow began to create divergence in most directions.

Tropical Storm In-Fa remains in an environment favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.   The upper level winds are light and the vertical wind shear is modest.  In-Fa is likely to continue to intensify and now that an inner core has developed, it could intensify rapidly.  In-Fa could become a typhoon on Wednesday and it could become the equivalent of a major hurricane later this week.

A subtropical ridge north of In-Fa is steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for the rest of the week.  On its anticipated track In-Fa will approach Fananu in about 24 hours and it could be a typhoon at that time.  In-Fa could be approaching Guam in about three days as a typhoon.

Tropical Depression 27W Forms Southeast of Pohnpei

A center of circulation formed in an area of thunderstorms southeast of Pohnpei and the system was designated Tropical Depression 27W (TD 27W).  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Depression 27W was located at latitude 4.7°N and longitude 162.3°E which put it about 360 miles (585 km) east-southeast of Pohnpei.  TD 27W was moving to the west at 17 m.p.h. (27 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

The circulation of TD 27W is still organizing.  A clearly defined low level center of circulation formed near the northern edge of an area of thunderstorms.  However, most of the stronger thunderstorms are southwest of the center.  Those storms are generating upper level divergence that is expanding south and west of the center.

Tropical Depression 27W is in an environment that favors further intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge north of TD 27W is producing light easterly winds over the top of the depression.  The vertical wind shear is modest, and it should only slow the rate of intensification.  Intensification could be slow initially as a stronger inner core forms around the center of circulation.  Once the core of the circulation consolidates, then intensification could occur more quickly.  TD 27W could become a tropical storm within 24 to 36 hours and it could be a typhoon in three or four days.

A subtropical ridge north of TD 27W is steering the depression toward the west.  A gradual turn toward the west-northwest is expected and that general motion is expected to continue for much of the week.  On its anticipated track TD 27W could be near Pohnpei in about 24 hours and it could bring tropical storm force winds and heavy rain.  The tropical cyclone could be approaching Guam by the end of the week and it could be a typhoon by that time.

Dolphin Becomes a Typhoon and Heads Toward Guam

Tropical Storm Dolphin moved into a more favorable environment and intensified into a typhoon on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 155.8°W which put it about 350 miles east-northeast of Chuuk and about 810 miles east-southeast of Guam.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 90 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

Dolphin moved closer to the axis of an upper level ridge and the vertical wind shear which was inhibiting its intensification diminished.  Since Dolphin is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C, the decreased shear allow it to intensify into a typhoon.  Dolphin has a small well organized core circulation with a tiny eye at its center.  Spiral bands of thunderstorms radiate out from the center.  The upper level outflow produced by those thunderstorms has increased and the removal of mass is allowing the surface pressure to decrease.  Dolphin is expected to remain in a region of modest vertical wind shear and further intensification is likely.  A period of rapid intensification is possible.

A subtropical ridge is steering Dolphin toward the west.  The ridge is expected to steer it toward the west-northwest during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Dolphin would approach Guam in 48 to 60 hours and it could be a significant typhoon at that time.