Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Tropical Storm Maysak Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Maysak formed east of Luzon on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Maysak was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 129.4°E which put it about 435 miles (700 km) east of Luzon.  Maysak was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system east of Luzon on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Maysak.  Thunderstorms were also forming in bands revolving around the center of Maysak.  Storm nears the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Maysak will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Maysak will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Maysak will intensify quickly and it could strengthen into a typhoon within 24 hours.  Once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall is established Maysak could rapidly intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Maysak will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Maysak toward the north-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Maysak could approach the Ryukyu Islands within 72 hours.  Maysak could be the equivalent of a major hurricane by that time.

Typhoon Bavi Passes East of Shanghai

Typhoon Bavi passed east of Shanghai on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 31.9°N and longitude 124.7°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) east-northeast of Shanghai, China.  Bavi was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 958 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Bavi was well organized on Tuesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (30 km) was at the center of Bavi.  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 Bavi.  Storm near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the north of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Bavi was moderately large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Bavi was 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.2.  Typhoon Bavi was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Bavi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bavi could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 12 hours.  In 12 hours Bavi will start to move over cooler water, which could end the chance for intensification.  In 24 hours Typhoon Bavi will approach the eastern part of an upper level trough over China.  The trough will produce strong southwesterly winds which will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong shear will cause Bavi to weaken more quickly.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Bavi toward the north during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Bavi could approach the west coast of North Korea in about 24 hours.  Bavi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to North Korea and parts of northeastern China.

Typhoon Bavi Passes West of Okinawa

Typhoon Bavi passed west of Okinawa on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 125.6°E which put it about 595 miles (965 km) south-southwest of Chinhae, South Korea.  Bavi was moving toward the east-northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

A circular eye developed at the center of Typhoon Bavi.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Bavi.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Typhoon Bavi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Bavi 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.  Typhoon Bavi will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Bavi toward the north during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Bavi will pass west of the northern Ryukyu Islands.  Bavi could be southeast of South Korea in about 72 hours.

Tropical Storm Bavi Forms East of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Bavi formed east of Taiwan on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bavi was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 122.8°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Bavi was moving toward the north-northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system east of Taiwan strengthened on Friday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Bavi.  The circulation around Bavi was asymmetrical.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the east of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) to the east of the center of circulation.  The winds on the western side of Tropical Storm Bavi were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bavi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Bavi will intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Bavi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Bavi toward the north-northeast during the next few days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Bavi will pass west of the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa.  Bavi could approach South Korea in about four days.  The eastern side of Bavi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Higos Makes Landfall Near Macau

Tropical Storm Higos made landfall near Macau on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 112.5°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) west of Hong Kong.  Higos was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Higos made landfall on the coast of China just to the west of Macau on Tuesday night.  Higos intensified on Tuesday and an eye was beginning to form at the time of landfall.  A partial eyewall was on the southern side of the developing eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the partial eyewall.  Bands of thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Higos.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Higos will weaken steadily as it moves inland over southern China.  Higos will bring gusty winds and it will drop locally heavy rainfall over parts of southern China.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Higos Forms Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Higos formed southeast of Hong Kong on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 116.0°E which put it about 205 miles (335 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Higos 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of Hong Kong on Monday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Higos.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Higos was organizing quickly.  Thunderstorms were developing around the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Higos.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating 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 Higos will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 to 24 hours.  Higos will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Higos will continue to intensify and there is a chance it could strengthen into a typhoon before it makes landfall on the coast of China.

Tropical Storm Higos will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Higos toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Higos will make landfall on the coast of China west of Macau near Yangjiang.  Higos will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern China.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Mekkhala Makes Landfall in China

Typhoon Mekkhala made landfall on the east coast of China near Xiamen on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 117.6°E which put it about 25 miles west of Xiamen, China.  Mekkhala was moving toward the north-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 973 mb.

Typhoon Mekkhala spun up quickly over the South China Sea on Monday.  A low pressure system northwest of the Philippines organized into a tropical cyclone which rapidly intensified into a typhoon.  A small eye developed at the center of circulation and a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Mekkhala.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Mekkhala toward the north during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mekkhala will move inland over eastern China.  It will weaken into a tropical storm on Tuesday as it moves farther inland.  Typhoon Mekkhala will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Storm Jangmi Forms South of Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Jangmi formed south of the Ryukyu Islands on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 126.3°E which put it about 375 miles (605 km) south-southwest of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the north 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 998 mb.

A low pressure system east of Taiwan and south of the Ryukyu Islands strengthened on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jangmi.  The distribution of  thunderstorms around Jangmi was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Jangmi.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the western side of an upper level ridge northeast of the Philippines.  The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical storm.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Jangmi could strengthen on Sunday despite the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Jangmi toward the north during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated tack the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi will pass west of Okinawa in 12 to 18 hours.  Jangmi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa.  Tropical Storm Jangmi could approach South Korea in 36 hours.

Typhoon Hagupit Makes Landfall in China

Typhoon Hagupit made landfall in China on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Hagupit was located at latitude 28.3°N and longitude 120.8°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south-southwest of Taizhou, China and about 235 miles (375 km) south of Shanghai.  Hagupit was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Hagupit strengthened quickly to a typhoon before it made landfall on the east coast of China.  A circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storm.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 135 miles (220 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hagupit was 11.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 23.5.  Typhoon Hagupit was capable of causing regional minor damage.

Typhoon Hagupit will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Hagupit toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Hagupit will pass west of Shanghai in 18 to 24 hours.  Hagupit will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Hagupit will also cause a storm surge along the coast of Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Shanghai Shi.

Tropical Storm Hagupit Almost a Typhoon

Tropical Storm Hagupit intensified to almost typhoon strength east of Taiwan on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Hagupit was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 123.2°E which put it about 130 miles (215 km) east of Taipei, Taiwan.  Hagupit was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 985 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Hagupit exhibited much greater organization on Sunday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an eye emerged on visible satellite imagery.  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 Hagupit.  The strongest rainbands were in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands in the western half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Hagupit 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.  Tropical Storm Hagupit will intensify into a typhoon during the next 6 to 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Hagupit toward the north-northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Hagupit will approach the coast of China south of Shanghai near Wenzhou in about 24 hours.  It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the east coast of China.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, former Tropical Storm Sinlaku dropped locally heavy rain on northern Vietnam and Laos.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Sinlaku was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 103.6°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) north of Vientiane, Laos.  Sinlaku was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 996 mb.