Tag Archives: Typhoon Chaba

Typhoon Chaba Hits Southern China

Typhoon Chaba hit southern China on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 111.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) east of Wuchuan, China. Chaba was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

The center of Typhoon Chaba made landfall on the south coast of China near Wuchuan and Dianbai in Guangdong on Saturday morning. Typhoon Chaba was strengthening when it made landfall. A small circular eye was as the center of Chaba’s circulation. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Chaba. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Chaba toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Chaba will move inland over southern China. Chaba will weaken gradually as it moves inland. Typhoon Chaba will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. There were reports a ship broke in two in heavy seas in the South China Sea.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the center Ryukyu Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Chaba Strengthens to a Typhoon Northeast of Hainan

Former Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened to a typhoon northeast of Hainan Island on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 111.8°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Wuchuan, China. Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened to a typhoon over the warm water in the northern South China Sea on Friday afternoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Chaba’s circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in a ring around the center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Chaba. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Chaba. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Chaba will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the northern part of the South China Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Chaba could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Chaba could make landfall on the coast of southern China near Wuchuan in 12 hours. Chaba will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere intensified gradually southeast of Okinawa. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 130.4°E which put it about 305 miles (495 km) southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the north-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb. Tropical Storm Aere is forecast to move toward the north-northwest and to continue to strengthen gradually. Aere could be near Okinawa in 18 hours.

Super Typhoon Chaba Threatens Japan and South Korea

Super Typhoon Chaba moved north on Monday and it threatened to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Japan and South Korea.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Super Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 126.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west-northwest of Okinawa.  Chaba was moving toward the north at 11 m.p.h. (18 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 925 mb.

Typhoon Chaba is a compact well organized storm.  It has a clear circular eye surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Additional rainbands are rotating around the core of Typhoon Chaba.  Thunderstorms at the core of Chaba are generating upper level divergence which is pumping mass out in all directions.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Chaba is 33.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 44.9.  These indices indicate that Typhoon Chaba is stronger, but slightly smaller than Hurricane Matthew which is over the Caribbean Sea.

Although Typhoon Chaba is still in a very favorable environment, it has probably peaked in intensity.  Chaba was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale earlier today.  Chaba is currently moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 29°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Chaba is likely to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.  In about a day or so, Chaba will move over cooler SSTs.  In addition, when Chaba moves farther north it will move closer to the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  A combination of cooler SSTs and more vertical wind shear will increase the rate at which Typhoon Chaba will weaken.

Chaba is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the north.  That general motion is expected to continue for about another 24 hours.  In about a day or so the westerly winds of the middle latitudes are expected to turn Chaba quickly toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Chaba will pass west of the northern Ryukyu Islands.  Chaba could be near Jeju, South Korea and western Kyushu in 24 hours.

Chaba is a very strong typhoon.  Although it will weaken, Typhoon Chaba will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of South Korea and Japan.

Powerful Typhoon Chaba Passing South of Okinawa

Powerful Typhoon Chaba is passing south of Okinawa.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 24.5°N and longitude 127.3°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) south of Okinawa.  Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 935 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Chaba is very well organized.  Chaba has a distinct circular eye surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  Other rainbands are rotating around the core of the circulation.  The thunderstorms in the core are generating upper level divergence which is pumping out mass to the north of Typhoon Chaba.

Typhoon Chaba is moving through a very favorable environment.  Chaba is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Chaba could intensify a little more during the next 12 to 24 hours.  When Chaba moves farther north, an upper level trough over eastern China will cause more vertical wind shear.  Increased wind shear and cooler SSTs will weaken the typhoon.

Typhoon Chaba is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the northwest.  Chaba will gradually start to move more toward the north.  In about 36 hours the upper level trough over eastern China will begin to steer Typhoon Chaba toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Chaba will move through the Ryukyu Islands southwest of Okinawa during the next 24 hours.  Chaba would be southwest of Kyushu in about 36 hours.

Chaba is a powerful typhoon and it will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa.

Typhoon Chaba Rapidly Intensifies Into the Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Chaba intensified rapidly into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 131.0°E which put it about 530 miles (855 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 19 m.p.h. (31 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

The organization of the circulation of Typhoon Chaba improved significantly on Saturday.  It has a small circular eye which is surrounded by a ring of very strong thunderstorms.  Another primary band of thunderstorms wrapped around the western side of the typhoon.  Thunderstorms in the core of Typhoon Chaba produced strong upper level divergence which pumped out enough mass to allow the pressure at the surface to decrease very rapidly during the past 24 hours.

Typhoon Chaba will continue to move in an environment that is very favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is not much vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Chaba should continue to intensify for another 24 hours and it could reach major typhoon status.

Typhoon Chaba is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the northwest.  Chaba should start to move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Chaba could reach Okinawa in about 36 hours.  It will be a powerful typhoon when it moves through the Ryukyu Islands.