Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Typhoon Saudel Strengthens East-southeast of Hainan

Typhoon Saudel strengthened over the South China Sea east-southeast of Hainan Island on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Saudel was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 115.0°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) east-southeast of Hainan. Saudel was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 963 mb.

Typhoon Saudel intensified steadily over the South China Sea on Thursday. A small circular eye was at the center of circulation. A ring of strong 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 Saudel. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Saudel. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center.

Typhoon Saudel will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Saudel could intensify during the next 12 hours. After that time an upper level ridge over eastern Asia will strengthen. The ridge will generate easterly winds which blow toward the top of Saudel’s circulation during the weekend. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear, which could cause Saudel to weaken.

Typhoon Saudel will move south of a ridge of high pressure over eastern Asia.  The ridge will steer Saudel toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Saudel will approach Hainan Island in about 36 hours. Saudel could approach the coast of Vietnam in about 60 hours.

Saudel Strengthens to a Typhoon over South China Sea

Former Tropical Storm Saudel strengthened to a typhoon over the South China Sea on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Saudel was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 116.0°E which put it about 515 miles (830 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam. Saudel was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 Saudel intensified after the circulation moved over the South China Sea west of Luzon. Satellite imagery provided indications that a small circular eye might be forming at the center of circulation. The inner end of a rainband was wrapping around the potential eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that rainband. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Saudel. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Saudel. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center.

Typhoon Saudel will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Saudel will intensify during the next day or so. After that time an upper level ridge over eastern Asia will generate easterly winds which blow toward the top of Saudel’s circulation during the weekend. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear, which could cause Saudel to weaken.

Typhoon Saudel will move south of a ridge of high pressure over eastern Asia.  The ridge will steer Saudel toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Saudel will approach Hainan Island in about 48 hours. Saudel could approach the coast of Vietnam in about 72 hours.

Tropical Storm Saudel Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Tropical Storm Saudel brought wind and rain to Luzon on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Saudel was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 121.6°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) northeast of Manila, Philippines. Saudel was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) determined based on weather radar that the center of Tropical Storm Saudel made landfall on the east coast of Luzon north of Baler on Tuesday. Saudel was getting stronger at the time of landfall. The radar indicated that there was a small, tight center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms wrapped closely around the center of Tropical Storm Saudel. Other outer rainbands were revolving around the center. Satellite imagery showed that storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west and north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Saudel.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move across northern Luzon during the next 12 hours. Saudel will bring gusty winds an it will drop locally heavy rain over parts of northern Luzon. Heavy rain could could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Storm Saudel will weaken while the center crosses Luzon. The center of Saudel is likely to emerge over the South China Sea near Baguio in about 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will be under the southern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification but it will not be strong enough to keep Tropical Storm Saudel from intensifying. Saudel will begin to strengthen again when it moves back over water and it could intensify into a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move south of a ridge of high pressure over eastern Asia.  The ridge will steer Saudel toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Saudel will approach the coast of Vietnam in a few days.

Tropical Storm Saudel Develops East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Saudel developed east of Luzon on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Saudel was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 124.3°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) east of Baler, Philippines. Saudel was moving toward the west-northwest 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 east of Luzon strengthened on Monday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Saudel. The circulation around Tropical Storm Saudel exhibited more organization on satellite images. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Saudel. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will be under the southern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Saudel will start to move across northern Luzon in about 12 hours. Saudel will weaken while it moves over Luzon. Tropical Storm Saudel will move over the South China Sea in about 24 hours. Saudel will begin to strengthen again when it moves back over water.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move south of a ridge of high pressure over eastern Asia.  The ridge will steer Saudel toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Saudel will reach the coast of northern Luzon in about 12 hours. Saudel will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some parts of Luzon. Tropical Storm Saudel could approach the coast of Vietnam in a few days.

Tropical Storm Nangka Makes Landfall in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Nangka made landfall on the coast of northern Vietnam on Wednesday morning.  Nangka weakened to a tropical depression after the center moved over land.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Nangka was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 105.0°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Hanoi, Vietnam.  Nangka was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1002 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Nangka made landfall on the coast of Vietnam about 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Hanoi on Wednesday morning.  Nangka brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the northern coast of Vietnam.  Nangka quickly weakened to a tropical depression when it moved westward over northern VIetnam.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms dropped locally heavy rain over parts of northern Vietnam.

Tropical Depression Nangka will continue to move toward the west until the circulation spins down over northern Laos on Thursday.  Nangka will continue to drop locally heavy rain over parts of northern Vietnam and northern Laos during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Nangka Brings Wind and Rain to Hainan

Tropical Storm Nangka brought wind and rain to Hainan Island on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Nangka was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 110.0°E which put it about 70 miles south-southwest of Haikou, China.  Nangka was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 987 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Nangka moved directly across Hainan Island on Tuesday.  Nangka strengthened before it made landfall on the east coast of Hainan.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Nangka.  So, Nangka may have produced tropical storm force winds over much of Hainan.  Thunderstorms near the center of circulation and in bands revolving around the center were dropping heavy rain over parts of Hainan.  The heavy rain was likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Nangka will weaken while it moves across Hainan.  Nangka will move into an environment favorable for intensification for about 12 hours when it moves west of Hainan Island.  Nangka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over eastern Asia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Nangka from strengthening again.

Tropical Storm Nangka will move south of a high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high will steer Nangka toward the west during the next 48 hours.  Tropical Storm Nangka will move west of Hainan Island in about 6 hours.  On its anticipated track Nangka will make landfall on the northern coast of Vietnam southeast of Hanoi in about 18 hours.  Tropical Storm Nangka will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Vietnam.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Nangka Forms over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Nangka formed over the South China Sea on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nangka was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 113.8°E which put it about 200 miles (325 km) east of Hainan Island.  Nangka was moving toward the west 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 996 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the South China Sea on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nangka.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Nangka exhibited more organization on Monday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Nangka.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Nangka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 18 hours.  Nangka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge over eastern Asia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Nangka.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical which shear.  The shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be strong enough to keep Nangka from intensifying.  Tropical Storm Nangka will weaken in a day or so while the tropical storm moves over Hainan Island.  Nangka could restrengthen when it moves west of Hainan.

Tropical Storm Nangka will move south of a high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high will steer Nangka toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nangka will reach Hainan Island in less than 18 hours.  Nangka will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Hainan.  Flash floods could occur in some locations.  Tropical Storm Nangka will reach northern Vietnam in two days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Chan-hom was weakening southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Chan-hom was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 142.5°E which put it about 400 miles (645 km) south-southeast of Tokyp, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the south at 9 m.p.h (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind guts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Linfa Forms East of Vietnam

Tropical Storm Linfa formed east of Vietnam on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Linfa was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 109.9°E which put it about 155 miles (250 km) east-southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Linfa was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (34 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the South China Sea east of Vietnam and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Linfa on Saturday.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Linfa exhbited better organization.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Linfa.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Linfa.

A high pressure system over eastern Asia will steer Tropical Storm Linfa quickly toward the west during the next two days.  On its anticipated track Linfa will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam south of Da Nang in about 8 hours.  Tropical Storm Linfa will move through an environment favorable for intensification until it makes landfall.  Linfa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Linfa.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will limit the rate of intensification but Linfa will strengthen before it makes landfall.

Tropical Storm Linfa will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam south of Da Nang in a few hours.  Linfa will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of central Vietnam, southern Laos, northern Cambodia and northeastern Thailand.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom was passing south of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 139.8°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the east at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

Typhoon Chan-hom Turns Toward Japan

Typhoon Chan-hom turned toward Japan on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Chan-hom was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 132.9°W which put it about 515 miles (825 km) south-southwest of Osaka, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 973 mb.

Typhoon Chan-hom strengthened slowly on Wednesday.  An eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) formed at the center of Chan-hom.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Chan-hom.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Chan-hom was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Chan-hom.

Typhoon Chan-hom will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chan-hom will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of Typhoon Chan-hom.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  The wind shear will limit intensification, but Chan-hom could get stronger during the next 24 hours.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia will cause stronger southwesterly winds to blow toward Typhoon Chan-hom in a day or so.  Those winds will cause stronger vertical wind shear and they will cause Chan-hom to start to weaken.

Typhoon Chan-hom will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours.  The high will steer Chan-hom toward the north during that time period.  The upper trough over eastern Asia will turn Typhoon Chan-hom toward the northeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Chan-hom will be southeast of Kyushu and south of Shikoku in about 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom Forms Southwest of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Chan-hom formed southwest of Iwo To on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 22.8°N and longitude 139.0°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) southwest of Iwo To.  Chan-hom was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southwest of Iwo To on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Chan-hom was still organizing.  Thunderstorms were forming near the center of circulation, but the distribution of storms was asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were developing in bands in the southern half of the tropical storm.  Bands in the northern half of Chan-hom consisted mainly of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (165 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  Winds in the other parts of Chan-hom were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Chan-hom will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move around the southern side of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification but it will not be strong enough to prevent Chan-hom from intensifying.   Tropical Storm Chan-hom could strengthen into a typhoon within 72 hours.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Chan-hom toward the northwest during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Chan-hom could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands and southwestern Japan by the end of the week.