Tag Archives: South Korea

Typhoon Lan Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Lan rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 142.8°E which put it about 615 miles (995 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Lan was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 936 mb.

Typhoon Lan intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. A circular eye with a diameter of 28 miles (45 km) developed at the center of Lan’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 Lan. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions. The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Lan increased when Lan intensified rapidly on Thursday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size (HWISI) was 39.1. Typhoon Lan was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Lan is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Lan to weaken.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Chichi Jima during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Lan could approach Honshu in four days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Khanun produced gusty winds and locally heavy rain over South Korea. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Khanun was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 127.0°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) north-northeast of Seoul, South Korea. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun Hits South Korea

Tropical Storm Khanun hit South Korea on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 35.5°N and longitude 128.4°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) south-southeast of Chinhae, South Korea. Khanun was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun hit the southern coast of South Korea on Wednesday night. The center of Khanun made landfall near Busan and Chinhae. Tropical Storm Khanun brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern half of South Korea. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (285 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Khanun will be near Seoul in less than 12 hours. Khanun will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in South Korea on Thursday. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Lan intensified to a typhoon. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 143.7°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) east of Iwo To. Lan was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 975 mb. Typhoon Lan is forecast to move toward Honshu and to strengthen.

Tropical Storm Khanun Brings Wind and Rain to Kyushu

Tropical Storm Khanun brought wind and rain to Kyushu on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) west-southwest of Kagoshima, Japan. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 979 mb.

Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Khanun brought winds and rain to Kyushu on Tuesday. There was an elliptical area of relatively clear skies at the center of Khanun’s circulation. A broken ring of thunderstorms with a diameter of 70 miles (110 km) surrounded the relatively clear area. The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Khanun. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Khanun could intensify a little during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will make landfall in South Korea in less than 24 hours. Khanun will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Korea. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Khanun will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Kyushu during the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lan intensified east of Iwo To. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lan was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 146.6°E which put it about 335 miles (540 km) east of Iwo To. Lan was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 988 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Brings Wind and Rain to South Korea

Typhoon Hinnamnor brought strong gusty winds and heavy rain to South Korea on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 35.7°N and longitude 129.2°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Busan, South Korea. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north-northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 964 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor was a large, powerful typhoon when it began to affect South Korea. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 280 miles (455 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 17.8. The hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.6. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move quickly toward the north-northeast across southeastern South Korea during the next few hours. The strongest winds will occur southeast of a line from Busan to Pohang. Hinnamnor will drop heavy rain over much of South Korea. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move into an environment unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. Hinnamor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over China. The trough will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Typhoon Hinnamnor is likely to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone as it moves over the Sea of Japan during the next 24 hours.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor Heads Toward South Korea

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor headed toward South Korea on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 30.5°N and longitude 125.3°E which put it about 440 miles (710 km) southwest of Busan, South Korea. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor was a large and dangerous storm as it headed toward South Korea on Sunday night. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 260 miles (420 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 29.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 53.0. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread major damage.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor was very well organized. A small eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 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 upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move into an environment less favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 28˚C. An upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Hinnamnor will start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

The upper level trough over China will steer Typhoon Hinnamnor toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor will be near Jeju Island in 12 hours. Hinnamnor will approach the coast of South Korea near Busan in 18 hours. Although Typhoon Hinnamnor will weaken as it approaches South Korea, it will still be a large, powerful typhoon. Hinnamnor will bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Korea. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Hinnamnor could also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Japan.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Intensifies Back to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor intensified back to the equivalent of a major hurricane west of Okinawa on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 124.4°E which put it about 205 miles (330 km) west of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 951 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor strengthened back to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the East China Sea west of Okinawa on Saturday night. Two concentric eyewalls appeared to have formed in the middle of Typhoon Hinnamnor. A small inner eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was that the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The inner eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. A much larger, outer eyewall with a diameter of 100 miles (160 km) surrounded the inner eye and eyewall.

The formation of concentric eyewalls caused the size of the circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor to increase. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 270 miles (435 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 29.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.4. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread major damage.

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 could intensify until the inner eyewall starts to weaken and an eyewall replacement cycle begins. Hinnamnor will move closer to the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes on Monday. The vertical wind shear will increase when that happens and Hinnamnor will weaken.

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 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move toward northeast when it reaches the westerly winds in the middle latitudes. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will move east of Shanghai in 24 hours. Hinnamnor could approach South Korea in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Trases Develops over the East China Sea

Tropical Storm Trases developed over the East China Sea south of Jeju Island, South Korea on Sunday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Trases was located at latitude 30.1°N and longitude 126.3°E which put it about 175 miles (280 km) south of Jeju Island, South Korea. Trases was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 998 mb.

The circulation at the center of a large low pressure system over the East China Sea strengthened on Sunday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Trases. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Trases was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern part of Trases’ circulation. Bands in the other part of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The air in the northern part of Tropical Storm Trases was cooler and drier. The cooler, drier air was inhibiting the formation of thunderstorms in that part of Trases.

Tropical Storm Trases will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Trases will will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge centered north of Japan. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, the cooler drier air on the northern side of Trases will limit the potential for intensification. Tropical Storm Trases could intensify a little during the next 12 hours. Trases will move over cooler water on Monday and it is likely to weaken at that time.

Tropical storm Trases will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Trases toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Trases could reach Jeju Island within 12 hours. Trases could make landfall on the west coast of South Korea on Monday. Tropical Storm Trases will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of South Korea.

Typhoon Haishen Drops Heavy Rain over South Korea

Typhoon Haishen dropped heavy rain over South Korea on Sunday night. Haishen weakened to a tropical storm after it made landfall on South Korea.   At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Haishen was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 128.8°E which put it about 30 miles north-northwest of Busan, South Korea.  Haishen was moving toward the north at 27 m.p.h. (43 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 969 mb.

The center of Typhoon Haishen passed just to the west of Kyushu earlier on Sunday.  A weather station at Makurazaki, Japan reported a wind speed of 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and a pressure of 966.6 mb.

Typhoon Haishen began dropping heavy rain over parts of South Korea hours before the center made landfall west of Busan.  Heavy rain was falling on some of the same places that also received heavy rain from Typhoon Maysak a few days ago.  The additional rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Haishen will continue to weak as it moves rapidly toward the north.

Typhoon Haishen Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Haishen brought wind and rain to the northern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Haishen was located at latitude 28.3°N and longitude 130.4°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) east-northeast of Okinawa.  Haishen was moving toward the north-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 945 mb.

The center of Typhoon Haishen passed west of Minami-Daito Jima on Saturday.  A weather station there measured a wind speed of 72 m.p.h. (116 km/h) and a pressure of 943.6 mb.

The circulation around around Typhoon Haishen developed concentric eyewalls on Saturday.  The smaller original eyewall started to weaken as low level convergence became more concentrated into the much larger outer eyewall.  The strongest winds were originally found in the inner eyewall, but those wind speeds decreased.  The stronger winds were blowing in the larger outer eyewall on Saturday night.

The concentric eyewall structure produced an increase in the size of the circulation around Typhoon Haishen.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 325 miles (530 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Haishen was 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 37.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 56.4.  Typhoon Haishen was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Haishen will move into a less favorable environment during the next 24 hours.  Haishen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Drier air over Asia will get pulled into the circulation.  Wind shear will increase when Typhoon Haishen moves farther north because it will get closer to the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  The effects of the concentric eyewalls, drier air and more wind shear will cause Typhoon Haishen to gradually weaken.

Typhoon Haishen will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Haishen toward the north.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Haishen will pass near the western part of Kyushu in about 12 hours.  Haishen will reach South Korea in about 24 hours.  Typhoon Haishen will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Kyushu and South Korea.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in places that received heavy rain from Typhoon Maysak a few days ago.

Typhoon Haishen Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Haishen intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Haishen was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 405 miles (650 km) southeast of Minamidaitojima, Japan.  Haishen was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 938 mb.

Typhoon Haishen intensified rapidly on Thursday.  A circular eye became more visible on conventional satellite images.  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 Haishen.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Haishen increased in size on Thursday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (315 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 53.4.  Typhoon Haishen was capable of causing widespread significant damage.

Typhoon Haishen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Haishen 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.  Typhoon Haishen could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Haishen will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Typhoon Haishen toward the northwest during the next 36 hours.  Haishen will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Haishen could reach Minamidaitojima in about 36 hours.  Haishen could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands in about 48 hours.  Typhoon Haishen could hit South Korea in a little over three days.