Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Typhoon Kong-rey Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Kong-rey rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 125.2°E which put the center about 505 miles (815 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 931 mb.

Typhoon Kong-rey rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Tuesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) formed at the center of Kong-rey’s circulation.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Kong-rey.  Storms near the core of Kong-rey’ circulation generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Kong-rey was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 260 miles (415 km) from the center of Typhoon Kong-rey.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey was 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 34.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 64.0.  Typhoon Kong-rey was capable of causing extensive severe damage.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Kong-rey will intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Kong-rey to weaken.   If an eyewall replacement cycle does not occur, then Typhoon Kong-rey could intensify to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kong-rey toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Kong-rey will reach Taiwan in 36 hours.

Typhoon Kong-rey is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Taiwan.  Kong-rey will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods.  Typhoon Kong-rey will be capable of causing major damage in Taiwan.

Kong-rey Strengthens to a Typhoon Southeast of Taiwan

Former Tropical Storm Kong-rey strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 127.6°E which put the center about 690 miles (1115 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 979 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Kong-rey strengthened to a typhoon on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Kong-rey’s circulation.  A circular eye was starting to form at the center of Typhoon Kong-rey.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the developing eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Kong-rey generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Kong-rey increased as Kong-rey strengthened.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 105 miles (165 km) on the south side of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Typhoon Kong-rey.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey 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 upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Kong-rey will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kong-rey toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Kong-rey will move closer to Taiwan.  Kong-rey could reach Taiwan later this week.  Typhoon Kong-rey could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Taiwan,

Tropical Storm Trami Makes Landfall in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Trami made landfall on the coast of Vietnam early on Sunday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 107.7°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) west-northwest of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Trami was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 996 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Trami made landfall on the coast of Vietnam near Da Nang early on Sunday.  Trami was a relatively small tropical storm at the time of landfall.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Trami will move inland over Southeast Asia.

Tropical Storm Trami will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to central Vietnam, southern Laos, northern Cambodia and northeastern Thailand.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kong-rey started to strengthen southeast of Taiwan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 680 miles (1095 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami Approaches Vietnam

Tropical Storm Trami approached the coast of Vietnam on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 109.5°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Trami was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami was weakening as it approached the coast of Vietnam on Saturday.  Trami was moving under the southern part of an upper level ridge over eastern China.  The upper level ridge was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing Tropical Storm Trami to weaken gradually.

The upper level winds were also causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Trami to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Trami’s circulation.  The bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Trami consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Despite the moderate vertical wind shear, the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Trami was still fairly symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Trami.  Trami is likely to continue to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Trami will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam north of Da Nang in about 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kong-rey was spinning southeast of Taiwan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 134.0°E which put the center about 830 miles (1335 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami Moves Over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Trami moved over the South China Sea on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 118.3°E which put the center about 215 miles (350 km) northwest of Manila, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 986 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami moved over the South China Sea on Thursday after dropping heavy rain on the Philippines that caused flash floods.  There were reports of damage and fatalities in Luzon.  The circulation around Trami began to strengthen when it moved over the South China Sea.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Trami’s circulation.  Bands of thunderstorms were in the southern half of Tropical Storm Trami.  The bands in the northern side of Trami’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Trami generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Trami was very large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 335 miles (535 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Trami 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 over the South China Sea.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Trami is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Trami could strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the south side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Trami will toward Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Trami Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Tropical Storm Trami brought wind and rain to Luzon on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 121.8°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Tuguegarao, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami brought wind and rain to Luzon on Wednesday.  Bands in the western side of Trami’s circulation dropped heavy rain on parts of Luzon.  There were reports of flooding in some places.

Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Trami.  Bands in the eastern side of Trami’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Trami generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Trami was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the south side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Trami will move across northern Luzon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will continue to bring wind and rain to northern Luzon during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause additional flooding.

Tropical Storm Trami will weaken a little as it moves across northern Luzon.  Trami will move over the South China Sea on Thursday.  Tropical Storm Trami is likely to strengthen again when it moves over the South China Sea.

Tropical Storm Trami Forms East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Trami formed east of the Philippines on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 127.0°E which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) east of Virac, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 997 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Monday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Trami.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Trami was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Trami’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Trami consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Trami’s circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Trami was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Trami 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Trami will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Trami will approach northern Luzon in 36 hours.

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

Typhoon Krathon Brings Wind and Rain to Taiwan

Typhoon Krathon brought strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 120.1°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

Typhoon Krathon was causing strong winds and dropping heavy rain over Taiwan on Wednesday night.  The center of Krathon was just off the coast of southwest Taiwan near Kaohsiung.  Typhoon Krathon was moving very slowly toward Taiwan.  The slow forward motion of Krathon’s circulation meant it was causing prolonged periods of strong winds and heavy rain.

Typhoon Krathon was weakening gradually as it slowly approached Taiwan, but Krathon was still a powerful typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon was 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.8.  Typhoon Krathon was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dolly when Dolly hit south Texas in 2008.

An upper level trough over China will steer Typhoon Krathon slowly to the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Krathon will move inland over southwestern Taiwan.  Krathon will continue to produce strong winds and heavy rain during the next 24 hours.  Very heavy rainfall will cause widespread flash floods.

Typhoon Krathon Stalls Southwest of Taiwan

Typhoon Krathon stalled just to the southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 119.4°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the east at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 956 mb.

Typhoon Krathon stalled just southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday.  As Krathon’s circulation remained nearly stationary, strong winds mixed cooler water to the surface of the ocean.  The cooler water reduced the energy available to be transferred to the atmosphere and Typhoon Krathon gradually weakened.

Even though Typhoon Krathon weakened on Tuesday, Krathon was still the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Krathon.  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 revolved around the core of Krathon’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Krathon generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Krathon was very symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 39.2.  Typhoon Krathon was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit Louisiana in 2005.  Krathon was not quite as big as Rita was.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will be under the axis of an upper level ridge over eastern China.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, as long as the core of Typhoon Krathon remains over the cooler water it is mixing to the surface of the ocean, Krathon will continue to gradually weaken.

Typhoon Krathon will be in an area where the steering currents are weak during the next few hours.  An upper level trough over southern China will start to steer Krathon toward the slowly northeast on Wednesday.  The center of Krathon could make landfall on the coast of Taiwan northwest Kaohsiung in 24 hours.

Bands in the northeastern part of Typhoon Krathon are already dropping heavy rain on parts Taiwan.  Krathon will bring strong winds and heavier rain to the southwestern part of Taiwan when it moves closer to the coast.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods.  Typhoon Krathon could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) on the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Jebi sped rapidly northeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 43.1°N and longitude 150.5°E which put the center about 300 miles (485 km) east of Kushiro, Japan.  Jebi was moving toward the northeast at 41 m.p.h. (67 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 976 mb.

Typhoon Krathon Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Typhoon Krathon intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it passed just south of Taiwan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 119.9°E which put the center about 135 miles (220 km) south-southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 927 mb.

Typhoon Krathon continued to intensify Monday.  It is now the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) is present at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Krathon.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Krathon is symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extend out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 24.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 55.7.  Typhoon Krathon is similar in intensity to Hurricane Laura when Jeanne hit Louisiana in 2020.  Krathon is bigger than Laura was.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Typhoon Krathon will be in an environment favorable for intensification, Krathon may not intensify.  Images from the Taiwan Central Weather Agency’s radar indicate that concentric eyewalls may be forming at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  If concentric eyewalls do form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Typhoon Krathon to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Krathon will move southwest of Taiwan.  An upper level trough over southern China will start to steer Krathon toward the northeast on Wednesday.  The center of Krathon could make landfall on Taiwan near Kaohsiung.

Typhoon Krathon will be a large, powerful storm when it hits Taiwan.  Krathon will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Krathon could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) on the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Jebi strengthened south of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 141.3°E which put the center about 320 miles (520 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Jebi was moving toward the north at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 986 mb.