Tag Archives: Okinawa

Typhoon Hinnamnor Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Hinnamnor brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) east-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor strengthened as it moved slowly through the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday morning. A small circular eye formed at the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The eye was east of Ishigakijima and southwest of Miyakojima. The eye was surrounded by a broken 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 Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Hinnamnor had a large circulation. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 225 miles (360 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 16.4. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.7. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain over the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 12 hours. The eastern side of the eyewall could pass over or close to Miyakojima. Strong winds will be capable of causing serious damage. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. The winds will not be as strong on Ishigakijima because the western side of the eyewall will pass to the east. Weather conditions will improve gradually when Typhoon Hinnamnor moves farther to the north.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor will intensity during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Hinnamnor toward the north during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will move across the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 12 hours. The center of Hinnamnor will be west of Okinawa in 24 hours. Typhoon Hinnamnor could be southeast of Shanghai in 36 hours.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Moves South of Okinawa

Typhoon Hinnamnor moved south of Okinawa on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 127.3°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) south of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.

Concentric eyewalls developed at the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor on Tuesday night. The original eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was still present at the center of Hinnamnor. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall. An outer eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) surrounded the original eye and eyewall. Typhoon Hinnamnor weakened slightly as the winds in the inner eyewall decreased slightly. The core of Hinnamnor still generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor increased when the concentric eyewalls developed. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.3. Hinnamnor was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through region where the winds at all levels of the troposphere are blowing from the east. Since the winds at different levels are blowing from the same direction, there will be little vertical wind shear. Even though it will be in a favorable environment, Typhoon Hinnamnor will weaken as the inner eyewall weakens because of the eyewall replacement cycle. More of the low level inflow will become concentrated in the outer eyewall. Hinnamnor could strengthen again after the eyewall replacement cycle is completed.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will interact with Tropical Depression 13W that is located southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday morning center of Tropical Depression 13W was located at at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 400 miles (640 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the north-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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will moved toward the southwest during the next 24 hours as it moves around the western side of Tropical Depression 13W. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Hinnamnor will move south of the southern Ryukyu Islands. The much stronger circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor will eventually absorb the weaker tropical depression. Hinnamnor could be in an area where the steering winds are weak after it absorbs the tropical depression. Typhoon Hinnamnor could meander near the southern Ryukyu Islands later this week.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Western North Pacific Ocean near Minami Daito Jima on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 131.2°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) east-northeast of Minami Daito Jima and about 255 miles (410 km) east of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 915 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday afternoon. A circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was at the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large quantities of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor contracted in size when the typhoon intensified to Category 5. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.8. Hinnamnor was capable of causing regional catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through region where the winds at all levels of the troposphere are blowing from the east. Since the winds at different levels are blowing from the same direction, there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor could maintain much of its intensity during the next 24 hours, if the inner end of rainband does not wrap around the existing eye and eyewall. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Hinnamnor could to weaken temporarily.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will interact with Tropical Depression 13W that formed southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday morning center of Tropical Depression 13W was located at at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 133.0°E which put it about 555 miles (895 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours when its circulation interacts with the tropical depression. On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Hinnamnor will be near Minami Daito Jima in a few hours. Hinnamnor could cause catastrophic wind damage on Minami Daito Jima. Very heavy rain could cause flash floods. Typhoon Hinnamnor will also cause a significant storm surge along the coast of Minami Daito Jima. Widespread electrical outages are likely. The center of Hinnamnor could be southeast of Okinawa in 12 hours.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will eventually absorb the circulation around the tropical depression. Hinnamnor could move slowly around the southern Ryukyu Islands while it absorbs the depression. A prolonged period of strong winds and heavy rain could affect the southern Ryukyu Islands later this week.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor Moves Toward Okinawa

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor moved toward Okinawa on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 360 miles (575 km) east of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 910 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was at the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor increased in size when the typhoon intensified. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.9. Hinnamnor was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through region where the winds at all levels of the troposphere are blowing from the east. Since the winds at different levels are blowing from the same direction, there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor could intensify during the next 24 hours, if the inner end of rainband does not wrap around the existing eye and eyewall. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Hinnamnor could to weaken temporarily.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will interact with a tropical depression that formed southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday morning the tropical depression was centered at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 133.1°E which put it about 585 miles (945 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours when its circulation interacts with the tropical depression. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will be near Minami Daito Jima in 12 hours. Hinnamnor could cause severe wind damage on Minami Daito Jima. Very heavy rain could cause flash floods. Typhoon Hinnamnor will also cause a significant storm surge along the coast of Minami Daito Jima. Widespread electrical outages are likely. The center of Hinnamnor could be south of Okinawa in 24 hours.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will eventually absorb the circulation around the tropical depression. Hinnamnor could move slowly around the southern Ryukyu Islands while it absorbs the depression. A prolonged period of strong winds and heavy rain could affect the southern Ryukyu Islands later this week.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 140.4°E which put it about 835 miles (1345 km) east of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 Hinnamnor rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane in a very favorable environment over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Chichi Jima. A small circular eye was at the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large quantities of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.8.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an area favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through region where the winds at all levels of the troposphere are blowing from the east. Since the winds at different levels are blowing from the same direction, there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends over Japan. The high pressure system will steer Hinnamnor toward the west during the 48 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor could approach the Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Hinnamnor will continue to produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain on Chichi Jima during the next few hours until it moves farther away. Typhoon Hinnamnor is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Songda Develops East of Okinawa

Tropical Storm Songda developed east of Okinawa on Thursday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Songda was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 136.6°E which put it about 600 miles (970 km) east of Okinawa. Songda was moving toward the north-northwest at 29 m.p.h. (45 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

An area of low pressure strengthened east of Okinawa on Thursday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Songda. Tropical Storm Songda was revolving around the northeastern part of a much larger low pressure system (sometimes called a monsoon gyre) centered northeast of the Philippines. The interaction of Songda’s circulation with the larger low pressure system was producing an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern half of Tropical Storm Songda. Bands in the southwestern half of Songda consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Songda generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Songda will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Songda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. The circulation around the larger low pressure system will produce upper level winds from the southeast that will blow toward the top of Songda’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also be blowing from the southeast and so there will be less vertical wind shear. The wind shear could still be strong enough to inhibit intensification. Songda could also move into a region where the air is drier. Tropical Storm Songda could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours, but wind shear and drier air are likely to limit intensification.

The large low pressure system northeast of the Philippines will steer Tropical Storm Songda toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Sondga could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands within 24 hours. Songda could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Ryukyu Islands.

Typhoon Chaba Hits Southern China

Typhoon Chaba hit southern China on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 111.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) east of Wuchuan, China. Chaba was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

The center of Typhoon Chaba made landfall on the south coast of China near Wuchuan and Dianbai in Guangdong on Saturday morning. Typhoon Chaba was strengthening when it made landfall. A small circular eye was as the center of Chaba’s circulation. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Chaba. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Chaba toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Chaba will move inland over southern China. Chaba will weaken gradually as it moves inland. Typhoon Chaba will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. There were reports a ship broke in two in heavy seas in the South China Sea.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the center Ryukyu Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Chaba Strengthens to a Typhoon Northeast of Hainan

Former Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened to a typhoon northeast of Hainan Island on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 111.8°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Wuchuan, China. Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened to a typhoon over the warm water in the northern South China Sea on Friday afternoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Chaba’s circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in a ring around the center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Chaba. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Chaba. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Chaba will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the northern part of the South China Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Chaba could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Chaba could make landfall on the coast of southern China near Wuchuan in 12 hours. Chaba will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere intensified gradually southeast of Okinawa. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 130.4°E which put it about 305 miles (495 km) southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the north-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb. Tropical Storm Aere is forecast to move toward the north-northwest and to continue to strengthen gradually. Aere could be near Okinawa in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Chaba Strengthens South of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Chaba was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 113.7°E which put it about 275 miles (445 km) south of Hong Kong, China. Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened south of Hong Kong on Thursday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around most of the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the part of the rainband wrapped around the center. Bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the southern half of Chaba’s circulation. Bands in the northern half of Chaba contained more showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the 24 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the northern part of the South China Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Chaba will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Chaba could be near the northeastern part of Hainan Island in 18 hours. Chaba could approach the coast of southern China near Zhanjiang in 24 hours. Chaba could be a typhoon when it approaches southern China. It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere formed south-southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 130.8°E which put it about 470 miles (760 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Aere 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 and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb. Tropical Storm Aere is forecast to move toward the north-northwest and to strengthen gradually. Aere could be near Okinawa in 36 hours.

Tropical Storms Lupit, Mirinae and Nida Spin over Active West Pacific

Tropical Storms Lupit, Mirinae and Nida were spinning over an active Western North Pacific Ocean on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 23.8°N and longitude 117.3°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Yunxiao, China. Lupit was moving toward the northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Tropical Storm Lupit was dropping heavy rain along the coast of Fujian province. A band of heavy rain on the eastern periphery of Lupit was just west of Taiwan. Tropical Storm Lupit is forecast to move northeast along the east coast of China during the next 24 hours. Lupit is likely to weaken slowly while the center is near the coast. Tropical Storm Lupit could strengthen during the weekend if the center moves farther over the ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-northeast of Okinawa. Mirinae was moving toward the east-northeast 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 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Mirinae is forecast to move toward the northeast and to strengthen. Mirinae could be south of Japan by this weekend. Weather conditions in Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands should improve when Tropical Storm Mirinae moves farther away.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nida was located at latitude 33.9°N and longitude 148.2°E which put it about 490 miles (790 km) east-southeast of Tokyo. Nida was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 992 mb. Westerly winds in the middle latitudes are forecast to carry Tropical Storm Nida farther away from Japan during the next few days.