Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Talim

Tropical Storm Talim Forms over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Talim formed over the South China Sea during Friday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Talim was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 117.7°E which put it about 360 miles (585 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Talim was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 992 mb.

A large low pressure system over the South China Sea strengthened during Friday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Talim. The circulation around Tropical Storm Talim was very large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Talim’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of the circulation. Even though the circulation around Tropical Storm Talim was large, the winds were weaker near the center of circulation. There were few thunderstorms near the center of circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and southern sides of Tropical Storm Talim.

Tropical Storm Talim will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The water at the surface of the South China Sea is very warm. Talim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that extends from the Western North Pacific Ocean to China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Talim’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Talim is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Talim will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Talim toward the northwest during the weekend. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Talim could be south of Hong Kong in less than 48 hours. Talim could approach the coast of southern China early next week. Tropical Storm Talim could be a typhoon when it approaches southern China.

Tropical Storm Talim Making Landfall on Kyushu

Tropical Storm Talim made landfall on Kyushu near Yamagawa, Japan on Saturday night.  Heavy rain was already falling over parts of Kyushu and Shikoku.  At 9:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Talim was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 130.2°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southwest of Kagoshima, Japan.  Talim was moving toward the east-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 975 mb.

Tropical Storm Talim was a powerful typhoon several days ago.  Talim was nearly stationary over the same part of the Pacific Ocean for nearly 48 hours.  Talim’s winds mixed cooler water to the surface and it weakened to a tropical storm.  Tropical Storm still has a well organized circulation and winds to tropical storm force extend out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.  Drier air wrapped around the southern half of the circulation.  Most of the thunderstorms and heavy rain are occurring in the northern half of the circulation.

An upper level trough over eastern Asia is steering Tropical Storm Talim toward the east-northeast.  The trough should steer Talim more toward the northeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Talim will move over southern Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu.  Talim will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain when it moves across those areas.  The heavy rain could produce flash flooding in some locations.