Category Archives: Tropical Cyclones

Information about tropical cyclones

Tropical Cyclone Fina Prompts Warning for North Coast of Australia

The risk posed by Tropical Cyclone Fina prompted the Australia Bureau of Meteorology to issue warnings and watches for portions of the northern coast of Australia on Tuesday night.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 132.8°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) north-northeast of Darwin, Australia and about 105 miles (165 km) north of Minjilang, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 987 mb.

A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Don to Warruwi, Australia including the Cobourg Peninsula and Minjilang.

A Watch is in effect for the Tiwi Islands.  A Watch is also in effect for the portion of the coast from Maningrida to Milingimbi, Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthened as it moved over the Arafura Sea north of Australia on Tuesday night.  Thunderstorms continued to develop near the center of Fina’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the center of Fina’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move though a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Fina will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fina could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the southern side of a narrow high pressure system that is near the Equator.  The high pressure system will steer Fina slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fina will move parallel to the northern coast of Australia.  Fina will start to move south toward the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia on Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Fina is likely to reach the northern coast of the Northern Territory of Australia within 36 hours.  Fina will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of the Northern Territory.

A Flood Watch is in effect for areas across the northwest Top End of Australia.

 

Tropical Cyclone Fina Forms North of Darwin

Tropical Cyclone Fina formed over the western Arafura Sea north of Darwin, Australia on Tuesday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 195 miles (315 km) north-northeast of Darwin, Australia and about 120 miles (195 km) north-northwest of Minjilang, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the western Arafura Sea strengthened on Tuesday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Tropical Cyclone Fina was strengthening on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Fina’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the center of Fina’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move though a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Fina will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the southern side of a narrow high pressure system that is near the Equator.  The high pressure system will steer Fina slowly toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fina will move parallel to the northern coast of Australia.  Fina is forecast to move south toward Australia later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Fina could affect the northern coast of the Northern Territory of Australia later this week.  Fina is likely to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong Clips Southern Taiwan

Tropical Storm Fung-wong clipped the southern part of Taiwan on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 122.5°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south of Taipei, Taiwan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1001 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong moved across southern Taiwan on Wednesday.  Fung-wong brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain as it moved across Taiwan.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong continued to weaken as it moved across southern Taiwan on Wednesday.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into many parts of Fung-wong’s circulation.  A few thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.  Other thunderstorms were located northeast of the center where Fung-wong’s circulation was interacting with a frontal boundary.  There was little upper level divergence.  Since mass was not being transported away from Tropical Storm Fung-wong, the surface pressure was increasing.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Fung-wong was very asymmetrical.  The pressure gradient between a high pressure system over eastern Asia and Tropical Storm Fung-wong was causing a large area of tropical storm winds to the north of Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 320 miles (520 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is over eastern China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow across the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the drier air that is already in the circulation around Fung-wong will suppress the formation of new thunderstorms.  Strong vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Fung-wong to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move over the southern Ryukyu Island.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will bring gusty winds and rain showers to the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Fung-wong Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Fung-wong weakened to a tropical storm over the South China Sea southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 11934°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Former Typhoon Fung-wong weakened to a tropical storm southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday morning.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into the core of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Fung-wong to dissipate.  The dissipation of the thunderstorms significantly reduced the amount of upper level divergence.  Since the upper level divergence pumped less mass away from Tropical Storm Fung-wong, the surface pressure increased.

An upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear was blowing the upper part of Fung-wong’s circulation toward the north of the circulation in the lower levels.  Many of the bands in Tropical Storm Fung-wong consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Even though Tropical Storm Fung-wong was weakening, the circulation around Fung-wong was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern half of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  The upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean will continue to produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the drier air that is already in the circulation around Fung-wong will suppress the formation of new thunderstorms.  Strong vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Fung-wong to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move across Taiwan during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will bring strong winds and isolated heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move across the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday.

Typhoon Fung-wong Moves over South China Sea

Typhoon Fung-wong moved over the South China Sea on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 118.4°E which put the center about 285 miles (460 km) south-southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the north-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Typhoon Fung-wong was weakening as it moved over the South China Sea on Monday.  Even though Fung-wong was weakening, thunderstorms were still developing near the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Storms near the center of Fung-wong continued to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels.  So, the surface pressure was increasing.

The circulation around Typhoon Fung-wong was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Fun-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 300 miles (485 km) from the center of Typhoon Fung-wong.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  In addition, drier air from Asia is over the South China Sea.  The drier air will gradually get pulled into the circulation around Fung-wong.  More vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Typhoon Fung-wong to weaken slowly during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will move toward Taiwan.

Typhoon Fung-wong is likely to weaken to a tropical storm before it reaches Taiwan.  Fung-wong will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Fung-wong Hits Luzon

Typhoon Fung-wong hit Luzon on Sunday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 121.3°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) east of Bayombong, Philippines.  Fung-wong was moving toward the northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 945 mb.

The center of Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall on the east coast of Luzon between Baler and Casiguran on Sunday.  Fung-wong was the equivalent of a major hurricane when it made landfall.

The circulation around Typhoon Fung-wong was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Typhoon Fung-wong.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Fung-wong is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 27.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 47.7.  Typhoon Fung-wong is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Irma when Irma hit Southwest Florida in 2017.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will move across northern Luzon during the next few hours.  Fung-wong will move over the South China Sea.

Typhoon Fung-wong will bring strong, gusty winds and very heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain will cause widespread flash floods.  Fung-wong will cause widespread electricity outages.  Typhoon Fung-wong could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along portions of the coast of Luzon.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move into an environment that will be less favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over eastern China.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, drier air from Asia has spread over the South China Sea.  The drier air will gradually get pulled into the circulation around Fung-wong.  The drier air is likely to cause Typhoon Fung-wong to weaken slowly when it moves over the South China Sea.

Typhoon Fung-wong Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Fung-wong intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of the Philippines on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 190 miles (305 km) east of Daet, Philippines.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-northwest at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

A circular eye was present at the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolving around the core of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Fung-wong was very large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the northern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern side of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 375 miles (605 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Fung-wong.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Fung-wong is 23.6.  The Hurricane Size index (HSI) is 37.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) 60.9.  Typhoon Fung-wong is similar in intensity to Hurricane Katrina when Katrina hit Mississippi in 2005.  Fung-wong is larger than Katrina was.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is drier air to the north and west of Typhoon Fung-wong.  However, that drier air is not likely to be pulled into the typhoon during the next 12 hours.  Typhoon Fung-wong could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will hit northern Luzon in 18 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Luzon.  Fung-wong will bring strong, gusty winds and very heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain will cause widespread flash floods.  Typhoon Fung-wong could also cause a storm surge of up to 14 fee (4 meters) along portions of the coast of Luzon.

Fung-wong Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Fung-wong strengthened to a typhoon east of the Philippines on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 12.1°N and longitude 134.6°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) north of Palau.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-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 982 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Fung-wong strengthened to a typhoon on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Fung-wong consisted primarily of showers and thunderstorms.  Storms near the center of Fung-wong generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Fung-wong was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is drier air to the north and west of Typhoon Fung-wong.  However, that drier is will not be pulled into the typhoon during the next day or so.  Typhoon Fung-wong will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will be northeast of Samar in 24 hours.  Fung-wong will reach northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Luzon.  Fung-wong will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain will cause widespread flash floods.  Typhoon Fung-wong could also cause a storm surge of up to 14 fee (4 meters) along portions of the coast of Luzon.

Typhoon Kalmaegi Strikes Central Vietnam

Typhoon Kalmaegi struck central Vietnam on early on Thursday.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Kalmaegi was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 109.9°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Quy Nohn, Vietnam.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

The center of Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall on the coast of central Vietnam near Song Cau early on Thursday.  Kalmaegi was the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) at the time of landfall.

At the time of landfall winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Kalmaegi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center center of Typhoon Kalmaegi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kalmaegi at the time of landfall was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.0.  Typhoon Kalmaegi was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Milton when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Typhoon Kalmaegi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over China.  The high pressure system will steer Kalmaegi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Kalmaegi will move inland over central Vietnam during the next few hours.  Kalmaegi will then move near the border between Laos and Cambodia.

Typhoon Kalmaegi will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Vietnam during the next few hours.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Kalmaegi will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland over Southeast Asia.  Kalmaegi will also drop heavy rain over southern Laos, Cambodia, and northern Thailand.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fung-wong continued to strengthen gradually east of Yap.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 9.9°N and longitude 140.62E which put the center about 170 miles (280 km) east of Yap.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 992 mb.  Tropical Storm Fung-wong is forecast to intensify to a typhoon.

Typhoon Kalmaegi Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Kalmaegi intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of Vietnam on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Kalmaegi was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 113.6°E which put the center about 335 miles (540 km) east-southeast of Quy Nohn, Vietnam.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Kalmaegi continued to strengthen on Wednesday as it moved over the South China Sea east of Vietnam.  A small circular eye was at the center of Kalmaegi’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Kalmaegi.  Storms near the center of Kalmaegi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Kalmaegi was relatively small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Kalmaegi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Typhoon Kalmaegi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kalmaegi was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.1.  Typhoon Kalmaegi was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Typhoon Kalmaegi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Kalmaegi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kalmaegi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  There is drier air to the north of Kalmaegi.  Typhoon Kalmaegi could intensify during the next 18 hours if the drier air remains north of the typhoon.

Typhoon Kalmaegi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over China.  The high pressure system will steer Kalmaegi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Kalmaegi will reach the coast of central Vietnam in 18 hours.

The center of Typhoon Kalmaegi is likely to make landfall on the coast of Vietnam near Quy Nohn.  Kalmaegi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Vietnam.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Kalmaegi could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast.

Typhoon Kalmaegi will also drop heavy rain over southern Laos, Cambodia, and northern Thailand.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 32W strengthened to Tropical Storm Fung-wong east of Yap.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 9.7°N and longitude 140.6°E which put the center about 190 miles (305 km) east of Yap.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-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 996 mb.  Tropical Storm Fung-wong is forecast to intensify to a typhoon.