Tag Archives: South Korea

Typhoon Mitag Passing Just East of China

Typhoon Mitag was passing just to the east of China on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mitag was located at latitude 27.7°N and longitude 122.2°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) south-southeast of Shanghai, China.  Mitag was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Mitag began to weaken later on Monday.  An upper level  trough over eastern Asia was producing southerly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Mitag was drawing drier air from Asia into the southern and western parts of the typhoon.  There was still an eye at the center of Typhoon Mitag.  However the ring of strong thunderstorms around the eye weakened.  The stronger bands of showers and thunderstorms were in the northern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center.

Typhoon Mitag will likely to continue to weaken during the next several days.  The upper level trough will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Mitag will also continue to draw drier air from Asia into the typhoon.  Typhoon Mitag will continue to weaken slowly and it could weaken to a tropical storm  within 24 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Typhoon Mitag toward the north-northeast during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Mitag will turn more toward the northeast in a day or so.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mitag will pass to the east of Ningbo and Shanghai.  Mitag could approach South Korea in about 36 hours.  It will likely be a tropical storm by that time, but Mitag could drop locally heavy rain over South Korea.

Tapah Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Japan

Former Tropical Storm Tapah strengthened into a typhoon southwest of Japan on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Tapah was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 125.9°E which put it about 380 miles (610 km) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan.  Tapah was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 972 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Tapah was very large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation.  There was a large eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) at the center of Typhoon Tapah.  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 large eye of Tapah.  It appeared on satellite imagery as if some drier air might be wrapping around the southeastern side of the circulation.

Typhoon Tapah will move through an environment that could allow it to maintain its current intensity for another 12 to 24 hours.  Tapah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia will produce southwesterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear may not be strong enough to weaken Tapah today.  Typhoon Tapah will move under stronger upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes on Sunday and the increase in wind shear will weaken the typhoon.  Stronger wind shear and cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Typhoon Tapah to begin a transition into an extratropical cyclone on Sunday.

Typhoon Tapah will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 12 to 18 hours.  The ridge will steer Tapah toward the north during that time period.  The stronger westerly winds in the middle latitudes will turn Tapah toward the northeast on Sunday.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Tapah will be west of Kyushu in about 12 to 18 hours.  The center of Tapah could pass between South Korea and Japan on Sunday and then it will move over the Sea of Japan.  Because it has such a large circulation Typhoon Tapah could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Kyushu, Honshu and South Korea.

Lingling Strengthens to Typhoon South of Ryukyu Islands

Former Tropical Storm Lingling strengthened to a typhoon south of the Ryukyu Islands on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Lingling was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 124.3°E which put it about 180 miles (295 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan.  Lingling was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Typhoon Lingling exhibited much greater organization on Tuesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) developed at the center of 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 Lingling.  The strongest rainbands were occurring in the southeastern half of the circulation.  Storms near the core of Lingling were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 30 miles from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (220 km) from the center.

Typhoon Lingling will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Lingling will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Lingling is likely to continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane in a couple of days.

Typhoon Lingling is moving around the western end of a large subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Lingling toward the north during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lingling could reach the southern Ryukyu Islands within 24 hours.  Lingling will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to those islands.  Typhoon Lingling could approach Kyushu and South Korea in about three days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Kajiki was dropping heavy rain over parts of Vietnam and Laos.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Kajiki was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 107.3°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) west-northwest of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Kajiki was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

Typhoon Francisco Brings Wind and Rain to Kyushu

Typhoon Francisco brought wind and rain to Kyushu on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Francisco was located at latitude 32.2°N and longitude 131.4°E which put it about 20 miles (35 km) north of Miyazaki, Japan.  Francisco was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Typhoon Francisco strengthened on Monday as it neared the coast of Kyushu.  A small eye developed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Francisco.  The stronger bands were primarily in the eastern half of the circulation.

The core of Typhoon Francisco made landfall on Kyushu just to the north of Miyazaki.  Typhoon Francisco will bring very heavy rain and strong gusty winds to much of Kyushu.  Francisco is forecast to turn toward the northwest and the center of circulation will move across the middle of Kyushu.  Locally heavy rain falling on steep terrain will create the potential for serious flash flooding in some locations.  Rainbands in the eastern half of Typhoon Francisco will also drop locally heavy rain over parts of western Shikoku and western Honshu.

Typhoon Francisco will weaken when it moves across Honshu, but then it will move over the Korea Strait and make another landfall in South Korea.  Francisco will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern South Korea on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lekima continue to meander east of Luzon.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lekima was located at latitude 18.7° and longitude 129.3°E which put it about 670 miles (1085 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Lekima was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 Danas Speeds Toward South Korea

Tropical Storm Danas sped toward South Korea on Friday as it moved quickly north-northeast over the East China Sea.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 125.1°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) south-southwest of Mopko, South Korea.  Danas was moving toward the north-northeast at 19 m.p.h. (30 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 987 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Danas remained asymmetrical on Friday.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands well to the east of the center of circulation.  Bands closer to the center and on the western side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough over eastern China was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The wind field also exhibited the effects of the wind shear.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Danas on the eastern side of the circulation, but only extended out about 120 miles (195 km) on the western side of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Danas will remain in an environment only marginally favorable for intensification until it makes landfall in South Korea.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level trough over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Danas could intensify a little during the next 12 hours, but it will weaken after the center moves over South Korea.

Tropical Storm Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge and the upper level trough will interact to steer Danas rapidly toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danas will make landfall on the southwestern coast of South Korea in about 12 hours.  Danas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Korea on Saturday.  The heaviest rain will fall over the southeastern half of South Korea.  Locally heavy rain in that region could cause flash floods.  The outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Danas could also drop locally heavy rain over western Kyushu.

Tropical Storm Danas Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Danas moved near the southern Ryukyu Islands late on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 124.1°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan.  Danas was moving toward the north at 21 m.p.h. (34 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 Danas exhibited a little more organization on Wednesday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and several bands of showers and thunderstorms formed in the eastern half of the circulation.  The bands north and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 125 miles (200 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Danas will move into an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  A small upper level low near Taiwan will produce southwesterly winds which blow toward the top of the circulation around Tropical Storm Danas.  Those winds were the reason why the stronger rainbands were in the eastern half of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  However, the shear will have less of an effect since Danas will move in the same direction as the upper level winds.  Tropical Storm Danas is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen into a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Danas toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Danas will move through the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next few hours.  Danas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain when it passes over those islands.  Tropical Storm Danas will move over the East China Sea toward southwestern Japan and South Korea during the next several days.

Tropical Storm Danas Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Danas formed east of Luzon on Tuesday.  A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of low pressure east of Luzon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Danas.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 123.1°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east of Tuguegarao, Philippines.  Danas was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Danas was highly asymmetrical.  There were a few thunderstorms just to the southwest of the center of circulation, but most of the thunderstorms were occurring in a band on the far western edge of the circulation around Danas.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Tropical Storm Danas was moving around the southeastern portion of an upper level ridge over east Asia.  The ridge was producing strong easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation around Danas.  The easterly winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetric distribution of thunderstorms.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Danas was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Danas will move into an environment that is only marginally favorable for intensification.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  So, there is plenty of energy in the upper ocean.  The strong upper level easterly winds are expected to weaken somewhat during the next several days.  If those winds weaken, then there will be less vertical wind shear and Tropical Storm Danas could strengthen.  If the upper level winds remain strong, then Danas will not strengthen and it could weaken to a tropical depression.  The forecast is for very slow intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Since there are not a lot of taller thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Storm Danas, it will be steered by the winds in the lower troposphere.  Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will turn Danas toward the north on Wednesday.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danas will remain east of Luzon.  The center of Danas could be near southeastern Taiwan in 24 to 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Danas could be near the east coast of China in about three days.  The primary risks will be locally heavy rain and flash floods.

Typhoon Kong-rey Brings Wind and Rain to South Korea

Typhoon Kong-rey brought wind and rain to South Korea late on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 33.8°N and longitude 127.7°W which put it near Jeju (Cheju) Island and about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Pusan, South Korea.  Kong-rey was moving toward the north-northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 970 mb.

Rainbands on the northern side of the circulation of Typhoon Kong-rey were already dropping heavy rain over parts of South Korea.  The core of Kong-rey was bringing winds to typhoon force and heavy rain to Jeju (Cheju) Island.  Typhoon Kong-rey was moving quickly toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Kong-rey will pass near Pusan, South Korea in a few hours.  The typhoon will bring gusty winds and drop locally heavy rain when it passes over southeastern South Korea.  Kong-rey will weaken when it moves over the cooler water in the Sea of Japan.  Kong-rey could be near Hokkaido in about 24 hours.  It will be a tropical storm at that time, but it could still drop locally heavy rain.

Typhoon Kong-rey Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Typhoon Kong-rey was bringing wind and rain to Okinawa on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 127.3°W which put it about 230 miles (375 km) south of Okinawa.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Typhoon Kongrey weakened steadily during Wednesday.  The eye became less distinct on satellite imagery.  The ring of strong thunderstorms around the eye broke and stronger thunderstorms were only occurring to the east of the eye.  It appeared that Typhoon Kong-rey was pulling cooler, drier air into the western half of the circulation and that air was wrapping around the southern half of the typhoon.  Kong-rey may have also moved over some cooler water that was mixed to the surface by Typhoon Trami last week.

The circulation around Typhoon Kong-rey was still large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 230 miles (375 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey was 11.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 24.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.2.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Kong-rey toward the north during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Typhoon Kong-rey will turn more toward the northeast in about 36 hours.

The outer rainbands on the northern side of Typhoon Kong-rey are already over Okinawa.  Kong-rey will drop heavy rain and it will produce gusty winds over Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands on Thursday.  The wind and rain will hinder efforts to recover from damage caused by Typhoon Trami.  Typhoon Kong-rey could be southeast of Kyushu in about 36 hours and it could be near South Korea in about 48 hours.  The soil in much of Japan is already near saturation and more heavy rain could cause flash flooding.  Typhoon Kong-rey could also hinder recovery efforts in Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu.

Typhoon Kong-rey Quickly Strengthens Into Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Kong-rey quickly strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 137.3°E which put it about 690 miles (1110 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 910 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Kong-rey was very organized and symmetrical.  There was a circular eye at the center of Kong-rey.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Kong-rey.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Kong-rey is a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 240 miles (390 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 26.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 61.8.  Typhoon Kong-rey is capable of causing widespread catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Kong-rey will remain in an environment very favorable for strong typhoons for another 24 to 36 hours.  Kong-rey 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.  If a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Kong-rey to weaken.  An upper level trough near Taiwan will produce southwesterly winds which will cause the vertical wind shear to increase in a couple of days.  Kong-rey will weaken more steadily when the wind shear increases.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kong-rey toward the northwest for several more days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kong-rey could approach the Rykyu Islands in 48 to 60 hours.  It will still be a typhoon at that time.  If Typhoon Kong-rey brings strong winds and heavy rain, it will hamper the recovery from Typhoon Trami which hit the Ryukyu Islands a few days ago.