Category Archives: Tropical Cyclones

Information about tropical cyclones

Tropical Storm Fengshen Brings Wind and Rain to Philippines

Tropical Storm Fengshen brought wind and rain to the Philippines on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Fengshen was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 122.0°E which put the center about 115 miles (185 km) east-southeast of Manila, Philippines.  Fengshen 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Fengshen was maintaining its intensity as it brought wind and rain to the Philippines on Saturday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain on parts of Luzon.  Those same bands of thunderstorms were also producing gusty winds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fengshen.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern half of Fengshen’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Fengshen were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea on Sunday.  Fengshen 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Fengshen is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours while it moves across Luzon.  Fengshen will intensify when it moves over the South China Sea on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Fengshen 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 Fengshen toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fengshen will move across Luzon during the next 12 hours.  Fengshen will move over the South China Sea on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Luzon during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  The weather in Luzon will start to improve later on Sunday when Tropical Storm Fengshen moves farther away.

Tropical Storm Fengshen Forms East of Philippines

Tropical Storm Fengshen formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Friday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Fengshen was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 127.4°E which put the center about 250 miles (400 km) east of Legaspi, Philippines.  Fengshen was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Fengshen.

Thunderstorms were developing near the center of Tropical Storm Fengshen.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Fengshen’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Fengshen began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fengshen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fengshen’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Fengshen will intensify during the next 24hours.

Tropical Storm Fengshen 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 Fengshen toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fengshen will move near the coast of southeastern Luzon on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo Churns over Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Lorenzo was churning over the Central Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lorenzo was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 45.5°W which put the center about 1430 miles (2300 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Lorenzo was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1005 mb.

After strengthening on Monday night, Tropical Storm Lorenzo weakened on Tuesday.  An upper level low east of the Lesser Antilles was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lorenzo’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  Lorenzo also moved into a region of drier air on Tuesday.  The strong vertical wind shear and drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Lorenzo to dissipate.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Lorenzo’s circulation.  Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Lorenzo consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lorenzo.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the eastern half of Lorenzo’s circulation.  The winds in the western half of Tropical Storm Lorenzo were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lorenzo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  However, the upper level low east of the Lesser Antilles will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Lorenzo will also continue to move through the region of drier air.  The strong vertical wind shear and drier will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Lorenzo could weaken to a tropical depression on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lorenzo toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lorenzo will remain out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Nakri Moves Away from Japan

Tropical Storm Nakri moved away from Japan on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 34.3°N and longitude 149.1°E which put the center about 460 miles (740 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Nakri was moving toward the east at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Former Typhoon Nakri weakened back to a tropical storm on Monday as it quickly moved farther away from Japan.  Nakri was still a very well organized tropical storm.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Nakri’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Storm Nakri.  Storms near the center of Nakri generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.

The distribution of winds speeds around Tropical Storm Nakri was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Nakri’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Nakri will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Nakri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is over northern Japan.  The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Nakri’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Nakri to weaken during the next 24 hours.  The cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and strong vertical wind shear will also cause Nakri to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough over northern Japan will steer Tropical Storm Nakri quickly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Nakri will continue to move quickly away from Japan.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo Forms Over Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Lorenzo formed over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean on Monday morning,  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lorenzo was located at latitude 14.2°N and longitude 40.3°W which put the center about 1095 miles (1760 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Lorenzo was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands strengthened on Monday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Lorenzo.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Storm Lorenzo on Monday morning.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Lorenzo’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western parts of Lorenzo consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Lorenzo began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Lorenzo.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Lorenzo’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Lorenzo were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lorenzo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is northeast of South America.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lorenzo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Lorenzo could intensify during the next 24 hours if the upper level winds do not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo will move around the eastern side of a high pressure system that is over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lorenzo toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lorenzo could approach the Azores at the end of the week.

Nakri Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Nakri strengthened to a typhoon south of Japan on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 137.4°E which put the center about 285 miles (460 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Nakri was moving toward the east-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 Nakri strengthened to a typhoon south of Japan on Sunday.  A small circular eye was present at the center of Typhoon Nakri.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Nakri’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western sides of Typhoon Nakri consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Nakri generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Typhoon Nakri.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the eastern half of Nakri’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the western side of Typhoon Nakri.

Typhoon Nakri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nakri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is west of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Nakri’s circulation.  However, the winds in the lower atmosphere will also blow from the west.  So, there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear. Typhoon Nakri is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough that is west of Japan will steer Typhoon Nakri toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Nakri will pass south of Tokyo in 12 hours.

Raymond Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Raymond weakened to a tropical depression south of Baja California on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Raymond was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 109.9°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Raymond was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Raymond weakened to a tropical depression south of Baja California on Saturday.  Most of the thunderstorms in Raymond’s circulation dissipated.  The bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Raymond consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  There were no thunderstorms near the center of Raymond’s circulation to generate upper level divergence.  Converging winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to increase.

Tropical Depression Raymond will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Raymond will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Raymond’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong wind shear will cause Tropical Depression Raymond to continue to weaken.

Tropical Depression Raymond will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Raymond toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Raymond will move across the southern part of Baja California on Saturday night.

Tropical Depression Raymond will bring gusty winds and isolated heavy rain to parts of southern Baja California.

Tropical Storm Nakri Moves South of Japan

Tropical Storm Nakri moved south of Japan on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 29.1°N and longitude 132.0°E which put the center about 320 miles (515 km) south-southwest of Kochi, Japan.  Nakri was moving toward the north-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

Tropical Storm Nakri started to strengthen on Saturday as it moved south of Japan.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Nakri’s circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Nakri.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Nakri’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Nakri generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Nakri was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Nakri’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Nakri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nakri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is west of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Nakri’s circulation.  However, the winds in the lower atmosphere will also blow from the west.  So, there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Nakri will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Nakri could strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

The upper level trough that is west of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Nakri toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Nakri will move south of Honshu on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Raymond Moves West of Mexico

Tropical Storm Raymond moved west of Mexico on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Raymond was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 106.5°W which put the center about 145 miles (230 km) west of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Raymond was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Las Islas Marias.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Los Barriles to Santa Fe, Mexico.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Raymond was still asymmetrical on Friday afternoon. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Raymond’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Raymond consisted primarily of shower and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Raymond generated some upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Raymond was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Raymond’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Raymond will move through an environment that will be only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Raymond will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Raymond’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Raymond is likely to weaken on Saturday because of the strong vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Raymond will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Raymond toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Raymond will reach the southern end of Baja California on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Raymond will bring gust winds and locally heavy rain to the southern part of Baja California.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Priscilla weakened west of Baja California.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Priscilla was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 115.4°W which put the center about 220 miles (355 km) west-northwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.  Priscilla was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Jerry Drops Heavy Rain on Northern Leeward Islands

Although it was not very well organized, bands in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Jerry dropped heavy rain on some of the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located at latitude 19.8°N and longitude 63.3°W which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) north of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Jerry was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, and Sint Maarten.

Tropical Storm Jerry weakened on Thursday night.  The circulation around Jerry was not very well organized on Friday morning.  Strong easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere continued to push the bottom part of Tropical Storm Jerry to the northwest of the middle and upper level circulations.  Bands near the center of the low level circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The bands in the western and northern sides of Jerry’s circulation also consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Jerry.  Some of those thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain on the Northern Leeward Islands.

The strongest winds were occurring in the bands of thunderstorms in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Jerry.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) in the eastern side of Jerry’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Jerry.  The winds in the southwestern quadrant of Jerry were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Jerry will move through an environment that will be mostly unfavorable for development during the next 24 hours.  Jerry will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level low that is north of Puerto Rico.  The upper level low will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Jerry’s circulation.  Since strong easterly winds are blowing in the lower levels of the atmosphere, there will continue to be strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Jerry could weaken during the next 24 hours because of the strong vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear could decrease during the weekend, when Jerry moves into a region where the winds in the lower level will blow from the south.

Tropical Storm Jerry will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jerry toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jerry will move away from the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday.

Tropical Storm Jerry will continue to drop heavy rain on some of the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Subtropical Storm Karen formed at the center of an occluded extratropical cyclone north of the Azores.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Karen was located at latitude 45.3°N and longitude 32.1°W which put the center about 570 miles (915 km) north-northwest of the Azores.  Karen was moving toward the northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 998 mb.