Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Tropical Storm Mitag Forms Southeast of Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Mitag formed southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 131.5°E which put it about 730 miles (1180 km) southeast of Ishigaki, Japan.  Mitag was movign toward the west-northwest at 27 m.p.h. (44 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Mitag.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Mitag was asymmetrical.  A few thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation, but most of the thunderstorms were forming in bands in the southern half of the circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Mitag consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Tropical Storm Mitag was moving around the southwestern portion of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge was producing northeasterly winds which were blowing toward the top of Mitag.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next two days.  Mitag will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Mitag will move around the western end of the upper level ridge where the winds are weaker.  The wind shear is likely to decrease and Tropical Storm Mitag is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon during the weekend.

The ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean will steer Tropical Storm Mitag toward the northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Mitag will move more toward the north when it moves around the west end of the ridge in about 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropcial Storm Mitag could reach the southern Ryukyu Islands in about 48 hours.  Mitag could be a typhoon at that time.

Tapah Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Japan

Former Tropical Storm Tapah strengthened into a typhoon southwest of Japan on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Tapah was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 125.9°E which put it about 380 miles (610 km) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan.  Tapah was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 972 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Tapah was very large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation.  There was a large eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) at the center of Typhoon Tapah.  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 large eye of Tapah.  It appeared on satellite imagery as if some drier air might be wrapping around the southeastern side of the circulation.

Typhoon Tapah will move through an environment that could allow it to maintain its current intensity for another 12 to 24 hours.  Tapah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia will produce southwesterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear may not be strong enough to weaken Tapah today.  Typhoon Tapah will move under stronger upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes on Sunday and the increase in wind shear will weaken the typhoon.  Stronger wind shear and cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Typhoon Tapah to begin a transition into an extratropical cyclone on Sunday.

Typhoon Tapah will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 12 to 18 hours.  The ridge will steer Tapah toward the north during that time period.  The stronger westerly winds in the middle latitudes will turn Tapah toward the northeast on Sunday.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Tapah will be west of Kyushu in about 12 to 18 hours.  The center of Tapah could pass between South Korea and Japan on Sunday and then it will move over the Sea of Japan.  Because it has such a large circulation Typhoon Tapah could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Kyushu, Honshu and South Korea.

Tropical Storm Tapah Develops East of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Tapah developed east of Taiwan on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Tapah was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 126.5°E which put it about 150 miles (245 km) east-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan.  Tapah was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation formed on the northern side of an area of thunderstorms east of Taiwan on Thursday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Tapah.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Tapah was asymmetrical.  Most of the thunderstorms  were occurring in bands in the southern half of the circulation.  Bands in the northern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storm on the southern side of the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Tapah was very large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Tapah will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Tapah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Some drier air north of Tropical Storm Tapah could inhibit the development of bands of thunderstorms on the northern side of the circulation.  Tropical Storm Tapah is likely to intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Tapah will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Tapah more toward the northwest on Friday.  Tapah will move more toward the north when it rounds the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Tapah could move over the southern Ryukyu Islands in about 12 hours.  The center of Tapah could pass west of Okinawa in about 24 hours.

Typhoon Faxai Hits Tokyo

Typhoon Faxai hit Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Faxai was located at latitude 35.3°N and 139.7°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Faxai was moving toward the north-northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (220 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

The eye of Typhoon Faxai was very near Tokyo and the northern portion of the eyewall may have been over the city.  The strongest winds were in the ring of thunderstorms around the eye.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Faxai.  Winds to typhoon force were likely occurring in the Tokyo metropolitan area.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Faxai.  Radar operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency indicated that the eyewall and rainbands were dropping heavy rain over the region around Tokyo.  Flash flooding is likely to occur in some locations.

Typhoon Faxai will move northeast across eastern Honshu during the next few hours.  Faxai will be capable of causing serious wind damage while it moves over the region northeast of Tokyo.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in that area.  Typhoon Faxai will move northeast of Japan on Monday and conditions should improve.

Typhoon Faxai Strengthens to Equivalent of Major Hurricane South of Tokyo

Typhoon Faxai strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane south of Tokyo, Japan on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Faxai was located at latitude 31.8°N and longitude 139.7°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Faxai was loving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 944 mb.

Typhoon Faxai intensified rapidly into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Saturday.  There was a small circular eye at the center of circulation.  The eye was surround 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 Faxai.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Faxai became more symmetrical on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (220 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Faxai was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.1.  Typhoon Faxai was capable of causing regional major damage.

Typhoon Faxai will move through an environment favorable for powerful typhoons during the next 12 hours.  Faxai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Faxai is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours and it could strengthen a little more.  Typhoon Faxai will reach the coast of Honshu in about 12 hours and Faxai will weaken when it moves over land.  Faxai will move under the westerly winds in the middle latitudes in a day or so and the vertical wind shear will increase when that happens.

Typhoon Faxai will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Faxai toward the north during the next 12 to 18 hours.  The high pressure system and the westerly winds in the middle latitude will turn Typhoon Faxai toward the northeast in 18-24 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Faxai will approach the coast of Honshu near Tokyo in about 12 hours.  Faxai will be capable of causing major damage when it reaches Honshu.

Typhoon Lingling Speeds Toward Korea

Typhoon Lingling sped toward the Korean peninsula on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Lingling was located at latitude 34.8°N and longitude 125.0°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Mokpo, South Korea.  Lingling was moving toward the north at 30 m.p.h. (48 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and thee were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Typhoon Lingling was weakening gradually while it was speeding toward the north.  Lingling was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 26°C.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia was producing strong southerly winds which blowing toward the top of the typhoon.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Typhoon Lingling was also pulling in drier air from Asia around the southern side of the circulation.  Even though it was weakening, Lingling remained a dangerous typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  The stronger winds were primarily in the eastern half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 220 miles (350 km) from the center.

The upper trough over eastern Asia was steering Typhoon Lingling rapidly toward the north.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lingling could reach the west coast of North Korea in less than 12 hours.  Lingling will be capable of causing serious damage.  It will also drop locally heavy rain over the Korean peninsula which could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Faxai strengthened into a typhoon east of iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Faxai was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 145.6°E which put it about 325 miles (520 km) east of Iwo To.  Faxai was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (34 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.  Typhoon Faxai is forecast to move toward the northwest and strengthen.  Faxai could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  Typhoon Faxi could approach the area around Tokyo, Japan in less than 72 hours.

Typhoon Lingling Strengthens to the Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Lingling intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane over the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Lingling was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 125.4°E which put it about 200 miles (325 km) southwest of Okinawa.  Lingling was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

Typhoon Lingling quickly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Wednesday night.  A circular eye was at the center of Lingling.  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 Lingling.  Storms around the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (325 km) from the center.

Typhoon Lingling will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Lingling will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Lingling is likely to intensify on Thursday.  At some point an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Lingling to weaken.

Typhoon Lingling will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Lingling toward the north during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lingling will pass west of Okinawa during the next 24 hours.

Lingling Strengthens to Typhoon South of Ryukyu Islands

Former Tropical Storm Lingling strengthened to a typhoon south of the Ryukyu Islands on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Lingling was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 124.3°E which put it about 180 miles (295 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan.  Lingling was moving toward the north 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.

Typhoon Lingling exhibited much greater organization on Tuesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) developed at the center of 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 Lingling.  The strongest rainbands were occurring in the southeastern half of the circulation.  Storms near the core of Lingling were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 30 miles from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (220 km) from the center.

Typhoon Lingling will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Lingling will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Lingling is likely to continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane in a couple of days.

Typhoon Lingling is moving around the western end of a large subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Lingling toward the north during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lingling could reach the southern Ryukyu Islands within 24 hours.  Lingling will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to those islands.  Typhoon Lingling could approach Kyushu and South Korea in about three days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Kajiki was dropping heavy rain over parts of Vietnam and Laos.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Kajiki was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 107.3°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) west-northwest of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Kajiki was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Kajiki Forms Near Vietnam

Tropical Storm Kajiki formed near the coast of Vietnam on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Kajiki was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 107.6°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Vinh Linh, Vietnam.  Kajiki was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 996 mb.

The wind speed around a low pressure system just east of the coast of Vietnam increased to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Kajiki.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Kajiki was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Kajiki contained fewer thunderstorms.  Kajiki was moving south of an upper level ridge over eastern Asia.  The ridge was producing northeasterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the tropical storm.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Storm Kajiki toward the southwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  On it anticipated track Kajiki will reach the coast of Vietnam within 12 hours.  Even though Tropical Storm Kajiki will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C, it will have only a few hours to strengthen before the center reaches the coast.  Kajiki will bring some gusty winds to the coast, but the greater risk is for heavy rain.  Tropical Storm Kajiki will drop locally heavy rain over parts of central Vietnam and northern Laos.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lingling was strengthening as it north toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lingling was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 124.1°E which put it about 565 miles (915 km) south-southwest of Okinawa.  Lingling was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 994 mb.  Tropical Storm Lingling is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon before it reaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Lingling Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Lingling formed east of Luzon on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lingling was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 126.1°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) east of Luzon.  Lingling was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A distinct center of circulation developed in an area of thunderstorms east of Luzon on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Lingling.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Lingling was still organizing.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming around the center of circulation.  Storms around the center of circulation were starting to generate upper level divergence.

Tropical Storm Lingling will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Lingling will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move near the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southerly 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 intensification.  Tropical Storm Lingling will intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon in a few days.

Tropical Storm Lingling will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Lingling toward the north-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Lingling will remain east of Luzon.  Lingling will approach Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands in about 36 hours.