Tag Archives: Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Lupit Forms Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Lupit formed southeast of Hong Kong on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 115.9°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Lupit was moving toward the east-northeast 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 minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system southeast of Hong Kong exhibited more organization on Tuesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Lupit. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Lupit was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Lupit. Bands on the northern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Storm Lupit was under the southern part of an upper level ridge over eastern China. The ridge was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lupit’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. The upper level ridge over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification. The wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification and Tropical Storm Lupit could strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Lupit toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lupit could be over the southern Taiwan Strait southeast of Shantou, China in 24 hours. Lupit could produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain over portions of the coast of Eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, a tropical depression formed east of Taiwan. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 24.0°N and longitude 125.9°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) southwest of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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. The depression is forecast to move toward the northeast and to strengthen. It could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to some of the Ryukyu Islands.

Cempaka Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Cempaka strengthened to a typhoon southwest of Hong Kong on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Cempaka was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 112.4°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) southwest of Hong Kong. Cempaka was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 978 mb.

The small circulation around former Tropical Storm Cempaka strengthened quickly on Monday. A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Cempaka. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Cempaka. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Cempaka. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Cempaka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Cempaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will remain under an upper level ridge over the South China Sea. The winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Cempaka could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Cempaka will move south of a surface high pressure system over eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Cempaka slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cempaka could approach the south coast of China near Yangjiang in about 12 hours. Cempaka will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of Guangdong province. Since Cempaka will move very slowly some locations could receive extremely heavy rainfall and flash floods are likely in those places. Typhoon Cempaka could also produce of storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm In-Fa stalled southeast of Okinawa. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 130.9°E which put it about 265 miles (425 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 983 mb. Tropical Storm In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to a typhoon. In-Fa could be south of Okinawa in 30 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in 72 hours and near northern Taiwan in less than four days.

Tropical Storm Cempaka Forms Southwest of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Cempaka formed southwest of Hong Kong on Sunday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Cempaka was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 113.0°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) southwest of Hong Kong. Cempaka was moving toward the west-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 991 mb.

The circulation around a small low pressure system organized quickly on Sunday evening and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Cempaka. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Cempaka and an eye appeared to be forming in the middle of the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Cempaka. Storm near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles from the center of Cempaka.

Tropical Storm Cempaka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Cempaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C during the next 24 hours. It will move under an upper level ridge over the South China Sea. The winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Cempaka will intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Cempaka will move south of a surface high pressure system over eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Cempaka slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cempaka could approach the south coast of China near Yangjiang in about 24 hours. Cempaka could be a typhoon when it approaches the coast. It will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the coast of Guangdong province. Cempaka could also produce of storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm In-Fa strengthened southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 131.3°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 986 mb. Tropical Storm In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to a typhoon. In-Fa could be south of Okinawa in 36 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in three days and near northern Taiwan in four days.

Tropical Storm Atsani Passes Just South of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Atsani passed just south of Taiwan early on Friday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Atsani was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 120.7°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south of Taiwan. Atsani was moving toward the west-northwest 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 995 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Atsani passed just to the south of the southern tip of Taiwan early on Friday. Radar images from the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau showed the well organized structure of Tropical Storm Atsani.

There was a small, tight center of circulation. The center was surrounded by a partial eyewall and the strongest winds were occurring in eyewall. Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Atsani. Bands in the northern half of Atsani were dropping heavy rain over the southern half of Taiwan. The heaviest rain was falling in parts of southeastern Taiwan where the wind was pushing air up the eastern slopes of mountains. Flash floods are possible in those areas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Atsani.

Tropical Storm Atsani will be in an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 24 hours. Atsani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will be in an area where the upper level winds are weaker and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Atsani could intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen into a typhoon. An upper level trough over eastern Asia will approach Atsani during the weekend. The trough will produce stronger southwesterly winds which will cause more vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Atsani will weaken when the wind shear increases. If the shear is strong enough, the upper level winds could blow the top half of Atsani northeast of the low level circulation.

Tropical Storm Atsani will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Atsani toward the west during the next day or so. If the wind shear blows the top half of Tropical Storm Atsani northeast of the lower level circulation, then a surface high pressure system over eastern Asia could push the lower half of Atsani toward the southeast. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Atsani will pass southeast of Hong Kong and it could eventually move toward Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, the remnants of former Typhoon Goni were dropping heavy rain over parts of Vietnam. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Goni was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 108.3°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) west of Quy Nhon, Vietnam. Goni was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1003 mb. Tropical Depression Goni is dropping heavy rain over ground that is already saturated and the rain will make ongoing floods worse.

Tropical Storm Higos Makes Landfall Near Macau

Tropical Storm Higos made landfall near Macau on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 112.5°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) west of Hong Kong.  Higos was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Higos made landfall on the coast of China just to the west of Macau on Tuesday night.  Higos intensified on Tuesday and an eye was beginning to form at the time of landfall.  A partial eyewall was on the southern side of the developing eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the partial eyewall.  Bands of thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Higos.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Higos will weaken steadily as it moves inland over southern China.  Higos will bring gusty winds and it will drop locally heavy rainfall over parts of southern China.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Higos Forms Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Higos formed southeast of Hong Kong on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 116.0°E which put it about 205 miles (335 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Higos was moving toward the west-northwest 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of Hong Kong on Monday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Higos.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Higos was organizing quickly.  Thunderstorms were developing around the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Higos.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Higos will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 to 24 hours.  Higos 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.  Tropical Storm Higos will continue to intensify and there is a chance it could strengthen into a typhoon before it makes landfall on the coast of China.

Tropical Storm Higos will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Higos toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Higos will make landfall on the coast of China west of Macau near Yangjiang.  Higos will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern China.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Weakening Tropical Depression Nuri Makes Landfall West of Hong Kong

A weakening Tropical Depression Nuri made landfall on the coast of China west of Hong Kong on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Nuri was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) west of Hong Kong.  Nuri was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 1001 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Nuri weakened to a tropical depression as it approached the coast of China on Saturday night.  An upper level ridge centered over China produced northeasterly winds which blew toward the top of former Tropical Storm Nuri.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and they blew the tops off thunderstorms in the eastern half of Nuri.  The wind shear blocked upper level divergence to the east of the tropical storm and the surface pressure increased.  The wind speed decreased and Nuri was downgraded to a tropical depression as it neared the coast of China.

Tropical Depression Nuri moved around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high steered Nuri toward the northwest.  Tropical Depression Nuri made landfall on the coast of China west of Hong Kong.  The center of Nuri crossed the coast between Dianbai and Yangjiang.  The circulation around Tropical Depression Nuri will continue to weaken as it moves farther inland.  Nuri will bring some heavy rain showers to parts of southeastern China before it dissipates.

Tropical Storm Nuri Develops of South China Sea

Tropical Storm Nuri developed over the South China Sea on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Nuri was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 116.4°E which put it about 360 miles (580 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Nuri was moving toward the west-northwest 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 998 mb.

The wind speed around former Tropical Depression 02W increased on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nuri.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Nuri was asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern and northern portions of Tropical Storm Nuri consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms near the center of Nuri began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Nuri will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge centered over eastern China.  The ridge will produce northeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification.  The wind shear could also cause the distribution of thunderstorms to remain asymmetrical.  Tropical Storm Nuri is likely to get stronger during the next 24 hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Nuri will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Nuri toward the northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Nuri will approach the coast of China southwest of Hong Kong in about 24 hours.  Nuri will drop locally heavy rain over parts of southeastern China.

Tropical Depression Develops West of Luzon

A tropical depression developed west of Luzon on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression 02W was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 119.2°E which put it about 135 miles (215 km) northwest of Manila, Philippines.  The depression was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1002 mb.

An area of low pressure moved west of Luzon on Thursday night and several weather agencies classified the system as a tropical depression.  The circulation around Tropical Depression 02W was not well organized.  There were a number of fragmented bands of showers and thunderstorms revolving around the center of the depression.  The strongest thunderstorms were in bands west and north of the center.  Bands east of the center of circulation were still over the Philippines and those bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression 02W will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30.5°C.  It will move under the southwestern portion of an upper level ridge centered northeast of Taiwan.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the depression.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Depression 02W is likely to intensify into a tropical storm during the next 24 hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Depression 02W will move around the southwestern end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer the depression toward the northwest during the next 36 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression 02W will approach the coast of China west of Hong Kong in about 48 hours.  It will likely be a tropical storm at that time.

Tropical Storm Wipha Brings Wind and Rain to South China

Tropical Storm Wipha brought wind and rain to south China on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 110.6°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Leizhou, China.  Wipha was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha contained a large rainband in the southern half of the tropical storm and another large rainband in the northern half of the circulation.  The rainband in the southern half of Wipha brought wind and rain to Hainan Island.  The rainband in the northern part of the tropical storm brought wind and rain to south China including Hong Kong.  Persistent heavy rain was creating the potential for flash floods in parts of southern China.

Tropical Storm Wipha was moving around the southwestern part of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Wipha toward the west-northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wipha will move close to the coast of south China and northeastern Vietnam.  Wipha will continue to bring gusty winds and drop locally heavy rain over those regions on Thursday.