Tag Archives: Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Saola Moves Between Taiwan and Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Saola moved between Taiwan and Luzon on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 20.3°N and longitude 120.7°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) south-southeast of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Saola was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Saola intensified to the threshold of the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale in Tuesday. A circular eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) was at the center of Saola’ circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Saola’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Saola increased when Saola intensified on Tuesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 33.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 49.5. Typhoon Saola was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ian when Ian hit southwest Florida in 2022.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level ridge winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Saola could maintain much of its intensity during the next 24 hours unless concentric eyewalls for again. If concentric eyewalls form again, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Saola to weaken.

Typhoon Saola will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Saola toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola will move over the South China Sea. Saola could be near Hong Kong later this week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Haikui was southwest of Iwo To. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Haikui was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 135.7°E which put it about 457 miles (755 km) southwest of Iwo To. Haikui was moving toward the 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 990 mb.

Typhoon Saola Moves Back Toward Northern Luzon

Typhoon Saola moved back toward northern Luzon on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 123.3°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) east-northeast of Aparri, Philippines. Saola was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

Two concentric eyewalls formed in the core of Typhoon Saola on Monday. A small eye was at the center of Saola’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. A second, slightly larger ring of storms surrounded the inner eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls. Storms in the eyewalls generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Saola was small even with the two concentric eyewalls. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.1. Typhoon Saola was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level ridge winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Saola could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Saola will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Saola toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola will move between Luzon and Taiwan in 24 hours.

Typhoon Saola will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the islands north of Luzon. Saola could also drop heavy rains over parts of northern Luzon. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Damrey moved quickly away from Japan and Tropical Storm Haikui formed south of Iwo To. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Damrey was located at latitude 41.2°N and longitude 152.3°E which put it about 285 miles (460 km) east-southeast of Hamanaka, Japan. Damrey was moving toward the east at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 990 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Haikui was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 137.6°E which put it about 450 miles (725 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Haikui was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 995 mb.

Typhoon Saola Churns East of Luzon

Typhoon Saola continued to churn over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 124.4°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines. Saola was moving toward the northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 941 mb.

Microwave satellite images showed that the inner end of a rainband was wrapping around the existing eye and eyewall at the center of Typhoon Saola. If the inner end of the rainband wraps completely around the existing eye and eyewall, then a second, larger outer eyewall would form. The formation of two concentric eyewalls would mark the start of an eyewall replacement cycle. An eyewall replacement cycle would cause Typhoon Saola to weaken.

There was still a small circular eye at the center of Typhoon Saola. The small eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the center of Saola’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Saola was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.0. Typhoon Saola was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level ridge winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, an eyewall replacement cycle is likely to cause Typhoon Saola to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Saola will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Saola back toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola will move parallel to the coast of northeastern Luzon. Saola could move toward southern Taiwan later this week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Damrey was passing east of Japan. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Damrey was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 145.3°E which put it about 225 miles (360 km) southeast of Misawa, Japan. Damrey was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 979 mb.

Typhoon Saola Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Saola strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean near northern Luzon on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 123.3°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines. Saola was moving toward the south at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Typhoon Saola rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the past 24 hours. A small circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Saola’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Saola. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Saola was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.0. Typhoon Saola was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Typhoon Saola will move around the western side of a large counterclockwise monsoon gyre east of the Philippines. The monsoon gyre will pull Saola toward the southeast during the next 24 hours. A high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean will start to steer Saola back toward the northwest by the end of the weekend. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola is forecast to make a slow counterclockwise loop east of Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Damrey was southeast of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Damrey was located at latitude 26.9°N and longitude 152.1°E which put it about 1020 miles (1645 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Damrey was moving toward the north-northwest at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 987 mb.

Saola Intensifies to a Typhoon Near Northern Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Saola intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean near northern Luzon on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) east-northeast of Aparri, Philippines. Saola was moving toward the southwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 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.

Typhoon Saola was continuing to intensify on Friday morning. A small circular eye was at the center of Saola’s circulation on microwave satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the eye generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were in the southern and eastern parts of Typhoon Saola. Bands in the northern and western parts of Saola’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Typhoon Saola was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 24 miles (40 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over South Asia and Southeast Asia. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Saola’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The vertical wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification and Typhoon Saola is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Saola will move around the western side of a large counterclockwise monsoon gyre east of the Philippines . The monsoon gyre will pull Saola toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola is forecast to make a slow counterclockwise loop east of Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 08W strengthened to Tropical Storm Damrey southeast of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Damrey was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 155.5°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) southeast of Minami Tori Shima. Damrey was moving toward the northeast at 20 m.p.h. (33 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 995 mb.

Tropical Storm Saola Forms Northeast of Luzon

Tropical Storm Saola formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean northeast of Luzon during Wednesday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Saola was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 124.5°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Aparri, Philippines. Saola was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 998 mb.

A small low pressure system northeast of Luzon strengthened during Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Saola. The circulation around Saola was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the southern side of Saola’s circulation. The winds win the northern side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Storm Saola. Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms developed around Tropical Storm Saola. The bands were beginning to revolve around the center of Saola’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Saola will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over South Asia and Southeast Asia. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Saola’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The vertical wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification and Tropical Storm Saola is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Saola will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific during the next 12 hours. The high pressure system will steer Saola toward the northwest during that time period. A large counterclockwise monsoon gyre is forecast to develop east of the Philippines. The monsoon gyre will pull Saola back to the south during the next several days. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Saola is forecast to make a counterclockwise loop east of Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 08W was east of the Marianas. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression 08W was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 149.2°E which put it about 225 miles (365 km) east of Anatahan. Tropical Depression 08W was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1000 mb. Tropical Depression 08W is forecast to slowly strengthen.

Typhoon Doksuri Drops Heavy Rain on Taiwan

Typhoon Doksuri dropped heavy rain on parts of Taiwan on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 20.3°N and longitude 119.9°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) south-southwest of Kaohsiung Taiwan. Doksuri was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 947 mb.

Bands in the northern side of Typhoon Doksuri dropped heavy rain on parts of Taiwan on Wednesday. The heaviest rain was falling in eastern Taiwan, where the wind was pushing the air up the eastern slopes of mountains.. There were reports of flooding in the northern Philippines after the southern part of Doksuri dropped heavy rain in that region. There were also reports of casualties and electricity outages in the northern Philippines.

Typhoon Doksuri exhibited more organization on Wednesday after the core of Doksuri’s circulation started to move away from northern Luzon. Radar images from Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau showed what appeared to concentric eyewalls at the core of Typhoon Doksuri. A small circular eye was at the center of Doksuri’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The inner eyewall was surrounded by a relatively clear area, sometimes called a moat. A much larger, outer eyewall surrounded the inner eyewall and moat. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls. Storms in the concentric eyewalls generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Doksuri was still a large typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Doksuri was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.9. Typhoon Doksuri was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav Hit Louisiana in 2008. Doksuri was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Doksuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Doksuri 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. However, the concentric eyewalls at the center of Typhoon Doksuri will inhibit intensification. Doksuri could weaken until the inner eye and eyewall dissipate. The strength of Typhoon Doksuri may not change much during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Doksuri will approach the east coast of China near Xiamen in 24 hours. Doksuri will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Fujian. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Doksuri could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of Fujian.

Typhoon Doksuri Brings Wind and Rain to the Northern Philippines

Typhoon Doksuri brought strong winds and heavy rain to the northern Philippines on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 121.3°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) north-northeast of Claveria, Philippines. Doksuri was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 936 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Doksuri brought strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Luzon, the Babuyan Islands, and the Batanes Islands on Tuesday. The eye of Typhoon Doksuri was just north of the coast of northern Luzon. The southern part of the eyewall of Doksuri was over the coast. Strong winds in other parts of the eyewall of Typhoon Doksuri were pounding the Babuyan Islands and the Batanes Islands.

The circulation around Typhoon Doksuri continued to be very well organized even though the southern part of the typhoon was over northern Luzon. A circular eye with a diameter of 28 miles (44 km) was at the center of Doksuri’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Doksuri. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Doksuri continued to be a large typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Doksuri was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 26.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 55.2. Typhoon Doksuri was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Frances when Frances was east of Florida in 2004. Doksuri was capable of causing widespread severe damage.

Typhoon Doksuri will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Doksuri 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. However, much of the circulation around the southern part of Typhoon Doksuri will pass over northern Luzon. The flow of air over land is likely to somewhat disrupt the circulation around Doksuri. In addition, some of the circulation around the northern side of Doksuri will pass over Taiwan on Wednesday. Interactions with land are likely to cause Typhoon Doksuri to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Doksuri will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Doksuri toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Doksuri will move slowly away from northern Luzon during the next 24 hours. The strongest part of Doksuri will continue to lash the Babuyan Islands and the Batanes Islands north of Luzon until the typhoon moves farther away. Doksuri will produce strong winds and very heavy rain in the Babuyan Islands and the Batanes Islands for another 24 hours. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Doksuri could cause a storm surge of up to 15 feet (5 meters) along the coast of some of the islands where the wind pushes water toward the shore. Heavy rain will also continue to fall over parts of northern Luzon on Wednesday. The core of Doksuri could be south of Taiwan in less than 24 hours. Typhoon Doksuri will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Taiwan. The heaviest rain will fall on the eastern side of mountains where the winds around Doksuri will push air up the slopes.

Powerful Typhoon Doksuri Moves Near Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Doksuri moved near northern Luzon on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines. Doksuri was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

Typhoon Doksuri strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean just to the east of northern Luzon. A circular eye with a diameter of 40 miles (65 km) was present at the center of Doksuri’s circulation. The eye was surrounded with 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 Doksuri. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Doksuri was a large typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 295 miles (475 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Doksuri was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 60.4. Typhoon Doksuri was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Wilma just before Wilma hit the Yucatan Peninsula in 2005. Doksuri was capable of causing widespread severe damage.

Typhoon Doksuri will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Doksuri 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 Doksuri could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall at the core of Doksuri, then concentric eyewalls could form. If concentric eyewalls, form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Doksuri to weaken.

Typhoon Doksuri will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Doksuri toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Doksuri could pass just north of Escarpada Point in northeastern Luzon. The strongest part of Doksuri could affect the Babuyan Islands and the Batanes Islands north of Luzon. Doksuri will bring extremely strong winds and very heavy rain to the Babuyan Islands and the Batanes Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Doksuri could cause a storm surge of up to 15 feet (5 meters) along the coast of some of the islands where the wind pushes water toward the shore. Heavy rain could also fall over parts of northern Luzon. The core of Doksuri could be south of Taiwan in 36 hours.

Typhoon Doksuri Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Doksuri rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 126.3°E which put it about 390 miles (615 km) southeast of Aparri, Philippines. Doksuri was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Doksuri rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Sunday. An eye with a diameter of 40 miles (65 km) was at the center of Doksuri’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Doksuri. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Doksuri increased when Doksuri rapidly intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (355 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Doksuri was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.3. Doksuri was capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Doksuri will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Doksuri 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 Doksuri will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Doksuri could intensify rapidly at times.

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