Tag Archives: Tropical Depression Tembin

Tropical Depression Tembin Passes Near Southern Tip of Vietnam

The center of Tropical Depression Tembin passed near the southern tip of Vietnam on Monday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Tembin was located at latitude 8.5°N and longitude 104.6°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Tembin was moving toward the west 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 1005 mb.

An upper level ridge north of Tropical Depression Tembin continued to produce strong easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The shear was strong enough to prevent thunderstorm from developing in most parts of the circulation of Tropical Depression Tembin.  A few thunderstorms formed in the extreme northwestern portion of the circulation, but most of the circulation consisted of bands of low clouds and showers.  The strong shear and lack of tall thunderstorms caused the wind speeds at the surface to decrease and Tembin weakened to a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Tembin will remain in an environment that is unfavorable for intensification.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  So, there is enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the upper ridge will continue to produce strong easterly winds.  The vertical wind shear is likely to cause the circulation of Tropical Depression Tembin to spin down.

The ridge north of Tembin has been steering the tropical depression toward the west and a general westerly motion is expected to continue for another day or two.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Tembin will move across the Gulf of Thailand.   The center of Tropical Depression Tembin could reach the coast of Thailand near Sichon in about 36 hours.