Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Mangkhut

Tropical Storm Mangkhut Causes Typhoon Watch for Marianas

Tropical Storm Mangkhut caused a Typhoon Watch to be issued for the Marianas on Saturday.  A Typhoon Watch was in effect for Guam, Rota, Saipan and Tinian.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Mangkhut was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 156.0°E which put it about 760 miles (1225 km) east of Guam.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west at 24 m.p.h. (39 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 983 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Mangkhut became much better organized on Saturday despite its rapid westward movement.  A primary band of thunderstorms wrapped around the southern side of the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be forming.  Winds near the core of Mangkhut were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  Several other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Mangkhut.  The strongest rainbands were in the western half of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level ridge north of Mangkhut was producing easterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and they were probably the reason why the strongest rainbands were west of the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Mangkhut will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Mangkhut will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move into an area where the upper level winds are weaker and there will be less vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Mangkhut will intensify into a typhoon on Sunday and it could intensify rapidly once the inner core and eye are fully formed.

Tropical Storm Mangkhut will move south of a ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Mangkhut in a general westerly direction during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Mangkhut could reach the Marianas in about 36 hours.  It is likely to be a typhoon at that time.  Mangkhut could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Guam, Rota, Saipan and Tinian.

Tropical Storm Mangkhut Develops Eastof the Marianas

Tropical Storm Mangkhut developed east of the Marianas on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mangkhut was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 163.2°E which put it about 1275 miles (2060 km) east of Guam.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and three were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

A distinct center of circulation formed in a cluster of thunderstorms east of the Marianas and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Mangkhut.  The circulation of Mangkhut was still organizing.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing around Tropical Storm Mangkhut.  There were more thunderstorms on the western side of the circulation.  An upper level ridge north of Mangkhut was producing easterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were probably the reason why more of the thunderstorms were west of the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Mangkhut will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification.  Mangkhut will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move south of the upper level ridge, which will cause some vertical wind shear.  However, the shear is not likely to be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Mangkhut could strengthen into a typhoon by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Mangkhut will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Mangkhut in a general westerly direction.  On its anticipated track Mangkhut could approach the Marianas in about 72 hours.  It is likely to be a typhoon at that time.