Tag Archives: Typhoon Mitag

Typhoon Mitag Passing Just East of China

Typhoon Mitag was passing just to the east of China on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mitag was located at latitude 27.7°N and longitude 122.2°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) south-southeast of Shanghai, China.  Mitag was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Mitag began to weaken later on Monday.  An upper level  trough over eastern Asia was producing southerly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Mitag was drawing drier air from Asia into the southern and western parts of the typhoon.  There was still an eye at the center of Typhoon Mitag.  However the ring of strong thunderstorms around the eye weakened.  The stronger bands of showers and thunderstorms were in the northern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center.

Typhoon Mitag will likely to continue to weaken during the next several days.  The upper level trough will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Mitag will also continue to draw drier air from Asia into the typhoon.  Typhoon Mitag will continue to weaken slowly and it could weaken to a tropical storm  within 24 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Typhoon Mitag toward the north-northeast during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Mitag will turn more toward the northeast in a day or so.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mitag will pass to the east of Ningbo and Shanghai.  Mitag could approach South Korea in about 36 hours.  It will likely be a tropical storm by that time, but Mitag could drop locally heavy rain over South Korea.

Typhoon Mitag Nears Northeast Taiwan

Typhoon Mitag moved nearer to northeastern Taiwan on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mitag was located near latitude 22.3°N and longitude 122.7°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Mitag was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 976 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Mitag strengthened into a typhoon on Sunday.  A circular eye appeared at the center of Typhoon Mitag on satellite images.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  There were some breaks in the ring of storms, but the strongest winds were occurring in the ring.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Mitag.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away in all directions.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 185 miles (295 km) from the center.

Typhoon Mitag will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Mitag will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are not too strong and there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mitag could strengthen on Monday if the center of circulation does not pass over northeastern Taiwan.  If the center of Mitag does move over Taiwan, then the typhoon will weaken,

Typhoon Mitag will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Mitag toward the north-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Mitag will be near northeastern Taiwan within 12 hours.  Mitag could drop heavy rain over parts of Taiwan and flash floods are possible.  Rainbands in the eastern side of the typhoon will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Typhoon Mitag could approach the east coast of China near Taizhou in about 36 hours.