Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Typhoon Matmo Passes South of Hong Kong

Typhoon Matmo passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 113.4°E which put the center about 225 miles (370 km) south of Hong Kong, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 984 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened as it passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  A circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Matmo.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Matmo 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 Matmo increased on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

Typhoon Matmo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Matmo 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 is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Matmo will intensify during the next 12 hours. .

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will approach the  southern coast of China in 12 hours.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 28W formed east of Iwo To.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 28W was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 63.1°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) east of Iwo To.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north 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 gusts to 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Matmo Moves over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Matmo moved over the South China Sea on Friday morning after crossing northern Luzon.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Matmo was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 118.7°E which put the center about 120 miles (195 km) west of Vigan, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 993 mb.

Former Typhoon Matmo weakened back to a tropical storm after it moved across northern Luzon.  A circular eye was still visible at the center of Matmo’s circulation on satellite images.  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 center of Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Matmo was symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.

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

Tropical Storm Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Matmo will pass south of Hong Kong in 24 hours. Matmo will be near Hainan in 36 hours.

Typhoon Matmo Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Typhoon Matmo brought strong winds and rain to Luzon on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 119.6°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Canayan, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Matmo strengthened to a typhoon as it approached Luzon on Thursday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  An eye started to form at the center of Typhoon Matmo before if made landfall in Luzon.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Matmo was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

Typhoon Matmo will weaken slightly while it moves across northern Luzon during the next few hours.  Matmo will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea on Friday.  Matmo 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 easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Matmo will start to intensify again when it moves over the South China Sea.

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will move across northern Luzon during the next few hours.  Matmo will move over the South China Sea on Friday.

Typhoon Matmo will cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  The strong winds could cause electricity outages.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location. Typhoon Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters).

Tropical Storm Matmo Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Matmo formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Matmo was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 126.4°E which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) east of Baler Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon strengthened on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Matmo.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Matmo was exhibiting more organization on Thursday evening.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Matmo.  Storms near the center of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Matmo was relatively symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Matmo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Matmo 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 easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Matmo will intensify during the next 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Matmo will hit northern Luzon in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  The strong winds could cause electricity outages.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Storm Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters).

Typhoon Bualoi Brings Wind and Rain to Vietnam

Typhoon Bualoi brought wind and rain to northern Vietnam on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 106.5°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Ky Anh, Vietnam.  Bualoi was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 977 mb.

The center of Typhoon Bualoi made landfall on the coast of Vietnam southeast of Ky Anh on Sunday.  An eye formed that the center of Bualoi’s circulation just before it made landfall.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Bualoi.

The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Typhoon Bualoi that were still over the South China Sea.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Bualoi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) from the center of Typhoon Bualoi.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bualoi will move inland over northern Vietnam.  Bualoi will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland.

Typhoon Bualoi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Bualoi could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.  Bualoi could also drop heavy rain over parts of northern Laos on Monday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri  was racing toward the northeast.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 168.6°E which put the center about 1320 miles (2120 km) north of Wake Island.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Typhoon Bualoi Approaches Northern Vietnam

Typhoon Bualoi was approaching the coast of northern Vietnam on Saturday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 108.8°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) east-northeast of Da Nang Vietnam.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 982 mb.

Typhoon Bualoi was maintaining its intensity as it approached the coast of northern Vietnam on Saturday evening.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Bualoi’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Bualoi.  Storms near the center of Bualoi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the typhoon.   The removal of mass in the upper levels were balanced by the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  The balance of outflow and inflow caused the surface pressure to remain nearly constant.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Typhoon Bualoi.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Bualoi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Bualoi.

Typhoon Bualoi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Bualoi 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 China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bualoi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the moderate shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Bualoi could intensify before it reaches the coast of northern Vietnam.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Bualoi will make landfall on the coast of northern Vietnam in a few hours.  The center of Bualoi Is likely to make landfall between Hue and Vinh.

Typhoon Bualoi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Bualoi could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri intensified far to the west of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 35.2°N and longitude 163.6°E which put the center about 1065 miles (1720 km) north-northwest of Wake, Island.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 957 mb.

Bualoi Strengthens to Typhoon over South China Sea

Former Tropical Storm Bualoi strengthened to a typhoon as it moved over the South China Sea on Friday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 114.2°E which put the center about 400 miles (645 km) east of Da Nang Vietnam.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 28 m.p.h. (45 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Bualoi strengthened to a typhoon on Friday evening.  Even though Bualoi strengthened to a typhoon, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Typhoon Bualoi.  Bands in the western and northern parts of Bualoi consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bualoi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Bualoi was relatively small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Bualoi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Typhoon Bualoi.

Typhoon Bualoi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bualoi 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 China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bualoi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the moderate shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Bualoi could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bualoi will move toward the coast of northern Vietnam.  Bualoi could reach the coast in 36 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.  Bualoi could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Neoguri was still meandering far to the east of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 31.8°N and longitude 156.3°E which put the center about 925 miles (1490 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 981 mb.

Tropical Storm Bualoi Brings Wind and Rain to Central Philippines

Tropical Storm Bualoi brought wind and rain to the central Philippines on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 124.6°E which put the center about 5 miles (10 km) west of Catarman, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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. (13 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Bualoi brought wind and rain to the central Philippines on Thursday.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain were occurring in Samar.  Bualoi was also bringing wind and rain to southeastern Luzon and Masbate.

Tropical Storm Bualoi strengthened as it approached the central Philippines.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Bualoi’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi.  Storms near the center of Bualoi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Bualoi became more symmetrical on Thursday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Bualoi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bualoi 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 easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bualoi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Even though Tropical Storm Bualoi will move through a somewhat favorable environment, the center of Bualoi will be over land at times as it moves across the central Philippines.  The times when the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi is over land will also inhibit intensification.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi will move across the Sibuyan Sea.  Bualoi will move over the South China Sea during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the central Philippines.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur in southern Luzon, Masbate, Sibuyan Island, Tablas Island, Burias Island, Marinduque, and Mindoro.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Bualoi could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Neoguri continued to meander far to the east of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 154.1°E which put the center about 855 miles (1380 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 982 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Makes Landfall in Southern China

Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on the coast of southern China east of Yangjiang on Wednesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 21.9°N and longitude 110.5°E which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Yangjiang, China.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 96 mb.

The center of Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on the coast of southern China east of Yangjiang on Wednesday morning.  Ragasa was a large and powerful typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.7.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will move westward near the coast of southern China.  Ragasa will move over northern Vietnam on Thursday.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guangxi, western Guangdong, and northern Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.  Ragasa could also drop heavy rain on parts of northern Vietnam and northern Laos.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bualoi was strengthening east of the Philippines and Tropical Storm Neoguri was spinning far to the east of Japan.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 10.6°N and longitude 130.5°E which put the center about 375 miles (605 km) east-southeast of Tacloban, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 994 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 156.8°E which put the center about 1060 miles (1710 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 980 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Brings Wind and Rain to Hong Kong

Typhoon Ragasa brought wind and rain to Hong Kong on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 113.2°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 944 mb.

The center of Typhoon Ragasa passed south of Hong Kong on Tuesday night.  A weather station at the airport in Hong Kong (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 47 kt (54 m.p.h. or 87 km/h) and a wind gust of 66 kt (76 m.p.h. or 122 km/h).

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall in Typhoon Ragasa as it was passing south of Hong Kong.  A second outer eyewall appeared to be developing.  The formation of concentric eyewalls could start another eyewall replacement cycle.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 45.9.  Typhoon Ragasa is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Ragasa is larger than Harvey was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next few hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Typhoon Ragasa will move through a favorable environment, another eyewall replacement cycle would cause Ragasa to weaken.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will make landfall on the coast of southern China west of Macau in 12 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guangxi and to western Guangdong.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along portions of the coast.  Ragasa could also drop heavy rain over northern parts of Vietnam and Laos.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bualoi formed east of the Philippines and former Typhoon Neoguri weakened to a tropical storm far to the east of Japan.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 133.4°E which put the center about 535 miles (865 km) east of Surigao, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-southwest 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 1002 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 154.6°E which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 978 mb.