Tag Archives: Ho Chi Minh City

Tropical Storm Fung-wong Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Fung-wong neared the southern Ryukyu Islands on Thursday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) south-southwest of Harari, Japan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the north-northeast at13 m.p.h. (20 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 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong was weakening gradually as it neared the southern Ryukyu Islands.  An upper level trough over east Asia was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  There was still a well defined low level center of circulation.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the center and the strongest winds were occurring near the center of Fung-wong.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and east of the center of circulation.  Bands in the southern and western parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation.

A high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and the trough over east Asia will interact to steer Tropical Storm Fung-wong toward the north-northeast during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Fung-wong will move over the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours.  The center of the tropical storm could pass close to Miyako Jima in about 12 hours.  Tropical Storm Fung-wong will continue to weaken gradually because of the moderate vertical wind shear.  Fung-wong will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to some of the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Kalmaegi was moving across the South China Sea toward Vietnam.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Kalmaegi was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 114.5°E which put it about 550 miles (890 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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.  Tropical Depression Kalmaegi could drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern Vietnam during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Usagi Makes Landfall South of Ho Chi Minh City

Tropical Storm Usagi made landfall south of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Usagi was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 107.1°E which put it about 60 miles (995 km) south-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Usagi was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 984 mb.

Former Typhoon Usagi weakened as it approached the coast of southern Vietnam.  Moderate vertical wind shear caused by upper level winds blowing from the east caused Usagi to weaken slowly.  The core of Tropical Storm Usagi was still relatively intact.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the remnants of the small eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Heavy rain was falling just to the southwest of the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms were also dropping heavy rain in a couple of bands on the northeastern periphery of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Usagi will bring gusty winds to the areas south and west of Ho Chi Minh City.  Some places in southern Vietnam and Cambodia will receive locally heavy rainfall and flash floods could occur in those areas.  Usagi will weaken slowly as it move inland over southern Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Man-yi was meandering slowly southeast of Okinawa.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Man-yi was located at latitude 18.4°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 770 miles (1245 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Man-yi was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Usagi Strengthens to a Typhoon East of Southern Vietnam

Former Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened into a typhoon east of southern Vietnam on Friday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Usagi was located at latitude 9.6°N and longitude 109.2°E which put it about 205 miles (335 km) east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Usagi was moving toward the west-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 977 mb.

A small circular eye was visible at the center of Typhoon Usagi on both conventional and microwave satellite imagery.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Usagi.  The strongest rain bands were in the western half of the typhoon.  Storms near the core of Usagi were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 125 miles (200 km) from the center.

Typhoon Usagi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Usagi 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, which will reduce the rate of intensification.  Typhoon Usagi will strengthen on Saturday.

The ridge north of Typhoon Usagi will steer the typhoon a little to the south of due west.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Usagi will approach the Mouths of the Mekong River in about 24 hours.  Usagi will bring strong winds and drop heavy rain on southern Vietnam.  Winds to tropical storm force could affect Ho Chi Minh City.  There could be a storm surge of 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) along the coast.  Locally heavy rain could cause floods over portions of southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Typhoon Man-yi started to weaken southeast of Okinawa.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Man-yi was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 760 miles (1230 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Man-yi was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Tropical Storm Bolaven Forms Over the South China Sea

Tropical Storm Bolaven formed over the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Tuesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bolaven was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 115.1°E which put it about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Bolaven was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 low level center of circulation developed on the eastern side of a cluster of thunderstorms that moved across the southern Philippines on Monday.  The center exhibited greater organization on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Bolaven.  The structure of Tropical Storm Bolaven is asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms are occurring northwest of the center of circulation.  Thin bands of low clouds and showers were revolving around the center of circulation in the other quadrants of Tropical Storm Bolaven.

Tropical Storm Bolaven is moving around the southern side of an upper level ridge centered east of the Philippines.  The ridge is generating strong southeasterly winds which are blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear is probably the reason why most of the stronger storms are occurring northwest of the center of circulation.  Although Bolaven will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, the vertical wind shear will likely prevent intensification.  In fact if the shear increases, then Bolaven could weaken to a tropical depression.

The ridge north of Bolaven is steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bolaven could reach the coast of South Vietnam in 24 to 36 hours.  Bolaven will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern Vietnam.

Tropical Depression Tembin Passes Near Southern Tip of Vietnam

The center of Tropical Depression Tembin passed near the southern tip of Vietnam on Monday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Tembin was located at latitude 8.5°N and longitude 104.6°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Tembin was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1005 mb.

An upper level ridge north of Tropical Depression Tembin continued to produce strong easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The shear was strong enough to prevent thunderstorm from developing in most parts of the circulation of Tropical Depression Tembin.  A few thunderstorms formed in the extreme northwestern portion of the circulation, but most of the circulation consisted of bands of low clouds and showers.  The strong shear and lack of tall thunderstorms caused the wind speeds at the surface to decrease and Tembin weakened to a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Tembin will remain in an environment that is unfavorable for intensification.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  So, there is enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the upper ridge will continue to produce strong easterly winds.  The vertical wind shear is likely to cause the circulation of Tropical Depression Tembin to spin down.

The ridge north of Tembin has been steering the tropical depression toward the west and a general westerly motion is expected to continue for another day or two.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Tembin will move across the Gulf of Thailand.   The center of Tropical Depression Tembin could reach the coast of Thailand near Sichon in about 36 hours.

Typhoon Tembin Nears Southern Vietnam

Typhoon Tembin moved nearer to southern Vietnam on Sunday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Tembin was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 109.3°E which put it about 290 miles (470 km) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Tembin was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 Tembin weakened during the past 12 hours as it moved over the South China Sea.  An upper level ridge north of Tembin generated stronger easterly winds on Sunday which increased the vertical wind shear.  The strong upper level winds weakened the rainbands in the eastern half of the circulation of Typhoon Tembin.  Those winds also tilted the upper portion of the circulation toward the west.  The low level circulation of Typhoon Tembin remained well organized, but the storms around the center weakened.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands west of the core of Tembin.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center in the northern half of the circulation and about 25 miles (40 km) in the southern half.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 155 miles (250 km) from the center.

Typhoon Tembin is likely to continue to weaken on Monday.  Typhoon Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge is likely to continue to generate strong easterly winds and the significant vertical wind shear will make it difficult for tall thunderstorms to develop around much of the circulation.  The wind shear will probably weaken Tembin to a tropical storm on Monday.

The ridge north of Tembin is steering the typhoon toward the west and a general westerly motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Tembin will pass near the southern tip of Vietnam in about 24 hours.  Tembin will likely move into the Gulf of Thailand as a tropical storm or tropical depression.

The heavy rain with Typhoon Tembin is occurring in bands west of the core of the typhoon.  So, the heavy rain will begin to fall before the center of circulation reaches places.  The heaviest rain will fall over the Mouths of the Mekong River and the part of Vietnam south of that area.  The rain could be heavy enough to cause floods in some locations.  Gusty winds could produce isolated damage as well in the southern part of Vietnam.

Tembin Strengthens to a Typhoon Over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Tembin strengthened into a typhoon on Saturday as it moved over the South China Sea.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Tembin was located at latitude 8.2°N and longitude 113.6°E which put it about 540 miles (880 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Tembin was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Typhoon Tembin became much better organized on Saturday.  A primary rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an eye became apparent on microwave satellite imagery.  Several other rainbands strengthened outside the core of Typhoon Tembin.  Storms near the core of the circulation generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west and northeast of the typhoon.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speed to increase.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 155 miles (250 km) from the center.

Typhoon Tembin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge north of Tempin is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the typhoon.  However, the easterly winds are blowing at most levels of the atmosphere and there is not a lot of vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Tembin is likely to continue to intensify on Sunday.

The subtropical ridge north of Tembin is steering the typhoon quickly toward the west.  A general motion toward the west is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Tembin could approach the southern part of Vietnam in about 36 hours.  Tembin has the potential to bring strong winds, heavy rain and a storm surge to the southern coast of Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Tembin Drops Heavy Rain on Mindanao

Tropical Storm Tembin dropped heavy rain on Mindanao on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Tembin was located at latitude 7.9°N and longitude 126.1°E which put it near Monkayo, Philippines.  Tembin was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Tembin intensified on Thursday before it made landfall on Mindanao.  More thunderstorms developed near the core of the circulation and those storms generated stronger upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speed to increase.  Although the circulation became much better organized, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  There were far fewer thunderstorms forming in the eastern half of the circulation.

The center of Tropical Storm Tembin will be moving across Mindanao for another day or so.  The mountains on the island will disrupt the lower levels of the circulation and increased friction will slow the wind speed.  Tropical Storm Tembin will weaken while the center is over Mindanao.  However, the middle and upper parts of the circulation are likely to remain intact, and Tropical Storm Tembin will move through a favorable environment when it reaches the Sulu Sea.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge north of Tropical Storm Tembin is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The winds in the middle and lower levels are also blowing from the east and the vertical wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Tembin once the center gets back over water.  Temping could strengthen into a typhoon when it reaches the South China Sea.

The ridge north of Tembin is steering the tropical storm toward the west-southwest.  A general motion toward the west is expected during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Tembin will move east to west over Mindanao during the next 24 hours.  Afterwards, Tropical Storm Tembin will move across the Sulu Sea toward Palawan.  Tembin could be near Palawan in about 48 hours and it could be over the South China Sea shortly thereafter.

Tropical Storm Tembin represents a serious hazard for Mindanao and nearby locations in the southern Philippines.  Tembin is dropping heavy rain and it has the potential to cause serious floods.  Water levels could rise quickly and flash floods could develop.  Saturated soils could result in mudslides in areas of steeper terrain.

Farther to the west, Tropical Storm Kai-tak continued to move across the South China Sea.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak was located at latitude 5.7°N and longitude 106.9°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) east of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.  Kai-tak was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 Tembin Forms East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Tembin formed east of the Philippines on Wednesday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Tembin was located at latitude 9.0°N and longitude 130.7°E which put it about 270 miles (435 km) east of Mindanao.  Tembin was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (20 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 more well organized center of circulation developed on the eastern edge of a cluster of thunderstorms east of the Philippines and the Japan Meteorological Agency classified the system as Tropical Storm Tembin.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tembin is asymmetrical.  Most of the storms are forming in bands north and west of the center of circulation.  Those storms are generating upper level divergence which is pumping mass away from the core of Tembin.  There are a few thunderstorms in bands on the eastern periphery of the circulation, but most of the bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Tembin contain only low clouds and showers.

Tropical Storm Tembin will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge north of Tembin is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear and they are probably the reason why most of the thunderstorms are developing west of the center of circulation.  However, the shear has not been enough to prevent Tembin from organizing and Tembin is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours.  The center of Tembin will move over Mindanao later on Thursday and it will weaken while the center is over land.  Tropical Storm Tembin will likely intensify once the center moves west of Mindanao.

A subtropical ridge north of Tembin is steering the tropical storm toward the west and a general westerly motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Tembin could approach Mindanao in about 24 hours.  Tembin is then forecast to move over the Bohol Sea and Sulu Sea and on toward Palawan.  It currently looks like Tropical Storm Tembin will take a track a little to the south of the track taken by Tropical Storm Kai-tak across the Philippines last week.

Tropical Storm Tembin will drop heavy rain over parts of Mindanao, southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Siargao, and Dinagat.  The heavy rain could cause floods and mudslides.  The northern part of Tropical Storm Tembin could drop heavy rain in some of the places affected by Tropical Storm Kai-tak last week.  Any additional rain in those locations would hamper efforts to recover from floods and mudslides caused by Kai-tak.

Tropical Storm Kai-Tak continue to move southwest over the South China Sea.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak was located at latitude 6.4°N and longitude 111.1°E which put it about 440 miles (710 km) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Kai-tak was moving toward the southwest 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Kai-tak Moves Over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Kai-tak moved west of the Philippines and over the South China Sea on Tuesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak was located at latitude 8.2°N and longitude 112.0°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Kai-tak was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

The organization of the circulation of Tropical Storm Kai-tak improved on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation.  The two stronger rainbands were north and west of the center.  However, thunderstorms also developed in a couple of bands southeast of the center of circulation.  These storms were the first to form in the eastern half of the circulation in several days.  The distribution of the rainbands was still asymmetrical, but storms were occurring in more quadrants of Kai-tak.  The storms in the two stronger rainbands were generating some upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Kai-tak will be moving through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Kai-tak will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Kai-tak is moving near the southwestern portion of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The easterly winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear, but they have weakened somewhat during the past 24 hours.  Less wind shear has allowed Tropical Storm Kai-tak to become better organized.  Tropical Storm Kai-tak could strengthen during the next 24 to 36 hours.

The western end of the subtropical ridge is strengthening and the ridge is steering Tropical Storm Kai-tak toward the west-southwest.  A general motion toward the west-southwest is expected to continue for the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak is expected to pass south of the southern tip of Vietnam.  Kai-tak is forecast to stay north of Borneo.  The center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak could approach the region near the border between Thailand and Malaysia in about 72 hours.