Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Banyan

Nalgae Strengthens to a Typhoon South-Southeast of Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Nalgae strengthened to a typhoon over the South China Sea south-southeast of Hong Kong on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Nalgae was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 116.3°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong. Nalgae was moving toward the north-northwest 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 981 mb.

Typhoon Nalgae strengthened gradually over the South China Sea south-southeast of Hong Kong on Monday. A large eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Nalgae’s circulation. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Nalgae. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) in the western side of Nalgae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 330 miles (515 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nalgae will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the western side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Nalgae’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Nalgae is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move into an environment where there is drier air in the lower levels of the atmosphere when it moves closer to China. Typhoon Nalgae will weaken when the drier air gets pulled into its circulation.

Typhoon Nalgae will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nalgae toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nalgae will move closer to Hong Kong during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move more toward the west when it encounters the drier environment near China and weakens.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Banyan developed east of the Philippines. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Banyan was located at latitude 7.3°N and longitude 131.2°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) east of Mindanao. Banyan was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Banyan Forms Near Wake Island

Tropical Storm Banyan formed quickly near Wake Island on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Banyan was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 167.2°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) south-southeast of Wake Island.  Banyan was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1003 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Banyan organized quickly.  It developed a distinct center of circulation.  Thunderstorms formed north and south of the center, but there were more thunderstorms south of the center.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms began to develop in the outer parts of the circulation.  The thunderstorms in the core of Tropical Storm Banyan were generating upper level divergence which was pumping away mass.  The circulation of Tropical Storm Banyan is relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Banyan will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification.  Banyan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30.5°C.  An upper level ridge north of Banyan is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are weak and there is not much vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Banyan is likely to intensify during the next day or two and it could intensify quickly at times.

Tropical Storm Banyan is moving near the western end of a subtropical ridge to its north.  The ridge is currently steering Banyan toward the west-northwest, but the tropical storm is expected to turn more toward the north when it reaches the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Banyan will move over Wake Island in about 12 hours.  Banyan will cause gusty winds and heavy rain when it moves over Wake Island.