Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Tropical Storm Nalgae Forms East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Nalgae formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nalgae was located at latitude 12.2°N and longitude 129.7°E which put it about 410 miles (660 km) east of Legazpi, Philippines. Nalgae was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. 105 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.

An area of low pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Thursday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nalgae. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Nalgae was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Nalgae’s circulation. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Storm Nalgae was moving under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific. The ridge was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Nalgae’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Nalgae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Nalgae will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. The upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. However, the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Nalgae will intensify during the next 36 hours. It is forecast to strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Nalgae will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nalgae toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nalgae will approach southeastern Luzon on Friday. Nalgae could be a typhoon when it reaches southeast Luzon. It could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Nesat Drops Rain on Hainan

Tropical Storm Nesat dropped rain on Hainan on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Nesat was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 110.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southeast of Lingshui China. Nesat was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 988 mb.

Former Typhoon Nesat weakened to a tropical storm on Tuesday as it moved over the South China Sea southeast of Hainan. An upper level ridge over China produced easterly winds that blew toward the top of Nesat’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear caused an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Nesat. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in the northwestern part of Nesat. Those thunderstorms dropped heavy rain over Hainan and parts of southern China. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Nesat.

Tropical Storm Nesat will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Nesat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will continue to move under the southern part of the over China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. A surface high pressure system over southern China will produce northeasterly winds that will transport drier air into the northern and western parts of Tropical Storm Nesat. The vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Nesat to continue to weaken during the next 48 hours.

The surface high pressure system over southern China will steer Tropical Storm Nesat toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Nesat will pass south of Hainan during the next 24 hours. Nesat could approach the coast of Vietnam in 36 hours. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Nesat will drop locally heavy rain on parts of Hainan, southern China and northern Vietnam. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Nesat Passes South of Hong Kong

Typhoon Nesat passed south of Hong Kong as it moved across the South China Sea on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Nesat was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 113.3°E which put it about 285 miles (460 km) south of Hong Kong. Nesat was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 971 mb.

Typhoon Nesat started to weaken on Monday night as it passed south of Hong Kong. A circular eye was still present at the center of Nesat’s circulation. However a break occurred in the southeastern part of the ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye of Typhoon Nesat. The strongest winds were occurring in the broken ring of thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were occurring in the western half of Nesat. Bands in the eastern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Nesat generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Nesat interacted with a large surface high pressure system over southern China to produce a large area of tropical storm force winds in the northern part of Nesat’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 400 miles (640 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Nesat. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) in the southern side of Nesat. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nesat will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Nesat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends over the Western North Pacific Ocean to southern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The surface high pressure system over southern China will produce northeasterly winds that will transport drier air into the northern and western parts of Typhoon Nesat. The vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Typhoon Nesat to weaken during the next 48 hours.

The surface high pressure system over southern China will steer Typhoon Nesat toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Nesat will pass south of Hainan in 36 hours. Nesat is likely to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it passes south of Hainan. Nesat could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Hainan on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Nesat Intensifies to a Typhoon Northwest of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Nesat intensified to a typhoon over the South China Sea northwest of Luzon on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Nesat was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 119.5°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) northwest of Laoag, Philippines. Nesat was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Nesat rapidly intensified to a typhoon over the South China Sea on Sunday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Typhoon Nesat. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Nesat’s circulation. The strongest rainbands were in the western and northern parts of the circulation. Storms near the core of Nesat generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Nesat’s circulation. Storms to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nesat will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nesat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends over the Western North Pacific Ocean to eastern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Nesat will strengthen during the next 24 hours. Nesat could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.

Typhoon Nesat will move around the southern side of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Nesat toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nesat could be south of Hong Kong within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Nesat Develops near Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Nesat developed over the Western North Pacific Ocean near northern Luzon on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Nesat was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 123.5°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east of Claveria, Philippines. Nesat was moving toward the west at 25 m.p.h. (40 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.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean near northern Luzon strengthened on Saturday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nesat. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Nesat was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Nesat’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Nesat consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Nesat generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) in the northern side of Nesat’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Nesat will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Nesat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Storm Nesat is likely to strengthen during the next 36 hours. Nesat could intensify to a typhoon by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Nesat will move around the southern side of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nesat toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Nesat will pass near northern Luzon during the next 24 hours. Nesat will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Storm Nesat will move over the South China Sea on Sunday.

Typhoon Noru Makes Landfall in Central Vietnam

Typhoon Noru made landfall on the coast of central Vietnam near Da Nang on Tuesday evening. At 7:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 108.1°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) north of Da Nang, Vietnam. Noru was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

The core of Typhoon Noru made landfall near Da Nang, Vietnam on Tuesday evening. The distribution of thunderstorms around Noru became asymmetrical as it approached the coast of Vietnam. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in the western half of Noru’s circulation. Typhoon Noru was moving under the southern part of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Noru’s circulation. Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Typhoon Noru. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Noru was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.1. Typhoon Noru was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Noru will move south of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Noru toward the west during the next 36 hours. Typhoon Noru will weaken as it moves farther inland. On its anticipated track Typhoon Noru will move across central Vietnam during the next 12 hours. Noru will move over southern Laos and eastern Thailand. The strongest winds will occur in the area around Da Nang and Hue. Typhoon Noru will drop locally heavy rain over central Vietnam, southern Laos and eastern Thailand. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kulap strengthened gradually southeast of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Kulap was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 145.2°E which put it about 395 miles (640 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Kulap was moving toward the northeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Typhoon Noru Moves Toward Vietnam

Typhoon Noru moved over the South China Sea toward Vietnam on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 113.3E which put it about 380 miles (615 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam. Noru was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Typhoon Noru strengthened on Monday afternoon as it moved toward central Vietnam. A small circular eye was present at the center of Noru’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Noru. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Noru increased in size on Monday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Noru’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Norw was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.7. Typhoon Nora was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Noru will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Noru 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 over eastern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Noru’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Noru is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Noru could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Noru will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Noru toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Noru will hit the coast of Vietnam near Da Nang in 24 hours. Typhoon Noru will be capable of causing major damage when it hits central Vietnam. Noru will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to central Vietnam. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kulap passed near Iwo To. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Kulap was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 141.8°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) north-northeast of Iwo To. Kulap was moving toward the north at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 997 mb.

Typhoon Noru Hits Luzon

Typhoon Noru hit Luzon on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 121.9°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) east-northeast of Manila, Philippines. Noru was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

Small, but powerful Typhoon Noru hit the coast of Luzon east-northeast of Manila on Sunday morning. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Typhoon Noru. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Noru was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.7. Typhoon Noru was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Noru will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Noru toward the west during the next 72 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Noru will move across central Luzon. The center of Noru could pass just north of Manila in a few hours. Typhoon Noru will bring strong, gusty winds to central Luzon. Severe damage could occur near the small core of Noru’s circulation. Widespread electrical outages are likely. Heavy rain will also fall over near the core of Typhoon Noru. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Since the circulation around Typhoon Noru is small, it is likely to weaken quickly while it passes over Luzon. There is a chance that Noru could still be a typhoon when it reaches the South China Sea. Noru will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea. Noru 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 over eastern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Noru’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.

Typhoon Noru could approach the coast of Vietnam in less than 72 hours. Noru could be a typhoon when it approaches the coast of Vietnam.

Typhoon Noru Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane East of Luzon

Typhoon Noru very rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 124.1°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) east of Manila, Philippines. Noru was moving toward the west-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 920 mb.

Typhoon Noru intensified very rapidly from a tropical storm to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane in 24 hours. A small, pinhole eye with a diameter of 7 miles (11 km) formed at the center of Noru’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Noru. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of so much mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Noru was relatively small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Noru. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 33.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.7. Typhoon Noru was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Noru will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Noru will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Noru could intensify to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Noru will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Noru toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Noru will make landfall on the coast of Luzon east-northeast of Manila. Typhoon Noru be the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane when it makes landfall. Noru will produce severe wind damage. Heavy rain could cause flash floods. Typhoon Noru could produce a storm surge up to 15 feet (5 meters) along the east coast of Luzon. Widespread electricity outages are likely.

Tropical Storm Talas Nears Japan

Tropical Storm Talas moved near Japan on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Talas was located at latitude 31.4°N and longitude 135.1°E which put it about 415 miles (670 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Talas was moving toward the north 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.

The circulation around a small low pressure system just south of Honshu strengthened on Thursday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Talas. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Talas was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Talas’ circulation. Bands in the rest of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Talas. The winds in the western side of Talas were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Talas will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Talas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over eastern Asia. The upper level trough will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Talas’ circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will be strong enough to prevent significant intensification.

The upper level trough over eastern Asia will steer Tropical Storm Talas quickly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Talas will be near Tokyo in 18 hours. Talas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Honshu. The small size of Talas’ circulation will limit the impact of the storm.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm 18W developed east of Luzon. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm 18W was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 132.1°E which put it about 640 miles (1030 km) east of Luzon. Tropical Storm 18W was moving toward the west 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 997 mb. Tropical Storm 18W is forecast to move toward northern Luzon and to strengthen to a typhoon.