Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Jelawat

Tropical Storm Jelawat Develops East of Mindanao

Tropical Storm Jelawat developed east of Mindanao on Saturday night. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jelawat was located at latitude 7.5°N and longitude 129.2°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) east of Baganga, Philippines. Jelawat was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1002 mb.

A tropical depression that formed on Saturday morning strengthened, and the Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Jelawat. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western and northern sides of Tropical Storm Jelawat. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of the Jelawat’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jelawat was interacting with a large high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and East Asia. The pressure gradient between the high pressure system and Jelawat’s circulation was producing a large area of tropical storm force winds in the western side of Jelawat. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) in the western side of Jelawat. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Jelawat will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Jelawat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jelawat’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Jelawat could intensify a little more, if the upper level winds do not get any stronger. When the upper level winds get stronger, then Jelawat will weaken.

Tropical Storm Jelawat will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Jelawat toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jelawat will reach Mindanao in 18 hours. Jelawat will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Mindanao. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Jelawat Weakens Rapidly Over the Northern Marianas

Tropical Storm Jelawat weakened rapidly over the Northern Marianas on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jelawat was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 145.5°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) north-northwest of Agrihan.  Jelawat was moving toward the east-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 993 mb.

Former Typhoon Jelawat moved into an area where there were upper level westerly winds blowing at 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  Those strong upper level winds created enough vertical wind shear to blow the upper two thirds of the circulation east of the lower part of the circulation.  The remaining strong thunderstorms were weakening well to the east of the lower level circulation.  Tropical Storm Jelawat consisted primarily of narrow bands of showers and low clouds that were revolving around the center of circulation.  Jelawat may bring brief gusty winds and showers to the northernmost islands in the Marianas.

Tropical Storm Jelawat Strengthens West of Guam

Tropical Storm Jelawat strengthened west of Guam late on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jelawat was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 135.5°E which put it about 230 miles (375 km) northwest of Yap and about 600 miles (970 km) west of Guam.  Jelawat was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 994 mb.

After being affected by strong vertical wind shear for about 36 hours, Tropical Storm Jelawat began to strengthen late on Tuesday.  Many more thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation.  The circulation became much more symmetrical.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed in all parts of the circulation.  The storms near the center of circulation started to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Jelawat will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jelawat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Tropical Storm Jelawat is moving around the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge is producing southerly winds which are blowing toward the tropical storm.  The winds are producing some vertical wind shear, but the shear is not as strong as it has been.  Tropical Storm Jelawat will intensify during the next day or two and it could strengthen into a typhoon.

The ridge is steering Tropical Storm Jelawat toward the north and the northerly motion is expected to continue for another 12 to 24 hours.  Jelawat will move more toward the northeast in a day or so after it rounds the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jelawat will move away from Yap and it will remain west of Guam.

Tropical Storm Jelawat Forms Near Yap

Tropical Storm Jelawat formed near Yap on Sunday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Jelawat was located at latitude 7.6°N and longitude 138.4°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) south of Yap.  Jelawat was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 998 mb.

A low level center of circulation formed near the eastern edge of a cluster of thunderstorms near Yap on Sunday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jelawat.  Tropical Storm Jelawat does not have a well organized circulation.  There is a distinct low level center of circulation, but most of the stronger thunderstorms are occurring west of the center of circulation.  The bands in the eastern half of the circulation consist mainly of showers and low clouds.  An upper level ridge over the Central North Pacific Ocean is producing strong easterly winds which are blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds are generating strong vertical wind shear and the shear is the main reason for the asymmetrical distribution of storms.

Tropical Storm Jelawat will be moving through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification.  Jelawat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  However, the upper level ridge will continue to cause vertical wind shear.  If the shear is not too strong and the circulation remains vertically coherent, then Tropical Storm Jelawat could strengthen during the next several days.   Some models predict this scenario and forecast that Jelawat will intensify into a typhoon.  Alternatively, if the wind shear increases further, strong upper level winds could blow the upper half of the circulation away from the lower level circulation.  If that occurs, Tropical Storm Jelawat will weaken.

The ridge over the Central North Pacific is steering Tropical Storm Jelawat toward the northwest.  Jelawat will reach the western end of the ridge in 12 to 24 hours.  The tropical storm will turn more toward the north when it reaches the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Jelawat is forecast to pass between Yap and Palau.