Monthly Archives: October 2024

Typhoon Kong-rey Brings Wind and Rain to Taiwan

Typhoon Kong-rey brought strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan on Thursday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 121.1°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) south of Hualien, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

The center of Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall on the east coast of Taiwan south of Hualien early on Thursday.  Kong-rey was the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) from the center of Typhoon Kong-rey.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey was 20.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 30.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.9.  Typhoon Kong-rey was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ike when Ike hit Texas in 2008.

Typhoon Kong-rey was producing strong winds over much of Taiwan.  Those winds were capable of causing major damage.  Kong-rey was also dropping heavy rain over much of Taiwan.  The heavy rain in likely to cause flash floods in many locations.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kong-rey toward the north-northwest during the next 12 hours.  An upper level trough over eastern China will turn Kong-rey toward the north-northeast on Friday.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Kong-rey will move across Taiwan during the next few hours.  Kong-rey will move over the East China Sea and it will approach the east coast of China in 18 hours.

Typhoon Kong-rey will weaken today as it moves across Taiwan.  Kong-rey is unlikely to intensify when it moves over the East China Sea.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level trough over eastern China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  More vertical wind shear will cause Kong-rey to continue to weaken after it moves over the East China Sea.

Bands on the western side of Typhoon Kong-rey will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the east coast of China.  Strong winds and locally heavy rain will affect coastal regions in Fujian and Zhejiang.

 

Typhoon Kong-rey Approaches Taiwan

Typhoon Kong-rey was approaching Taiwan on Wednesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 123.2°E which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (2225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 934 mb.

Typhoon Kong-rey went through an eyewall replacement cycle during the past 18 hours.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall.  Concentric eyewalls formed.  The inner eyewall had a diameter of 25 miles (40 km).  The outer eyewall had a diameter of 175 miles (285 km).  The inner eyewall started to weaken after the outer eyewall formed.  Typhoon Kong-rey weakened a little after the eyewall replacement cycle began

A large eye with a diameter of 175 miles (285 km) was at the center of Kong-rey’s circulation.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the large eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Kong-rey.  Storms near the core of Kong-rey’ circulation generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the large quantities of mass flowing into the center of Typhoon Kong-rey in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  The near balance of upper level divergence and lower level convergence of mass caused the surface pressure to increase very gradually.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused the circulation around Typhoon Kong-rey to increase in size.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 260 miles (420 km) from the center of Typhoon Kong-rey.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey was 28.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 42.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 70.3.  Typhoon Kong-rey was bigger and stronger than Hurricane Ivan was when Ivan made landfall on the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico in 2004.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Kong-rey could intensify during the next 12 hours if the large eye starts to contract.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kong-rey toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Kong-rey will reach Taiwan in 18 hours.

Typhoon Kong-rey is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Taiwan.  Kong-rey will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods.  Typhoon Kong-rey could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meter)s along the east coast of Taiwan.  Typhoon Kong-rey will be capable of causing extensive major damage in Taiwan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kong-rey Strengthens to a Typhoon Southeast of Taiwan

Former Tropical Storm Kong-rey strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 127.6°E which put the center about 690 miles (1115 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

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

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

Typhoon Kong-rey will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Kong-rey will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

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

Tropical Storm Trami Makes Landfall in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Trami made landfall on the coast of Vietnam early on Sunday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 107.7°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) west-northwest of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Trami was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

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

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

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

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kong-rey started to strengthen southeast of Taiwan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 680 miles (1095 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Kristy Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Kristy weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kristy was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 129.2°W which put the center about 1245 miles (2005 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Kristy was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 993 mb.

Former Hurricane Kristy moved under the eastern side of an upper level trough east of Hawaii.  The upper level trough produced strong southwesterly winds that blew across the top of Kristy’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Kristy, which caused Kristy to weaken rapidly.

The former eye of then Hurricane Kristy was still visible on satellite images.  However, the eye was surrounded by a ring of low clouds.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Kristy.  Most of the bands revolving around the center of Kristy’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Despite the strong vertical wind shear, the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Kristy was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Kristy’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Kristy will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  The upper level trough east of Hawaii will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Kristy will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough east of Hawaii will steer Tropical Storm Kristy toward the northwest during the next 12 hours.  After the last thunderstorms in Kristy’s circulation dissipate, the tropical storm will be steered by the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  A high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean will steer Kristy toward the west-southwest on Sunday.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kristy will remain far from any land area.

Tropical Storm Trami Approaches Vietnam

Tropical Storm Trami approached the coast of Vietnam on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 109.5°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Trami was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kong-rey was spinning southeast of Taiwan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 134.0°E which put the center about 830 miles (1335 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Hurricane Kristy Weakens

Hurricane Kristy weakened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Friday morning,  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Kristy was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 124.8°W which put the center about 1085 miles (1750 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Kristy was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Hurricane Kristy weakened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Friday morning after reaching Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.  Clouds were developing inside the eye at the center of Kristy’s circulation.  The eye was still 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 Hurricane Kristy.  Storms near the core of Kristy’s circulation generated less upper level divergence than they did on Thursday.  The removal of less mass caused the surface pressure to increase.

The circulation around Hurricane Kristy continued to be small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Kristy’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Kristy.

Hurricane Kristy will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southern end of an upper level trough east of Hawaii.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kristy’s circulation.  Those upper level winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Kristy will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours because of the increased vertical wind shear.

Hurricane Kristy will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kristy toward the northwest during the next 24 h.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kristy will continue to remain far from any land mass.

Tropical Cyclone Dana Makes Landfall in India

Tropical Cyclone Dana made landfall on the coast of India southwest of Kolkata on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dana was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 86.7°E which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) southwest of Kolkata, India.  Dana was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dana was the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it made landfall on the coast of India southwest of Kolkata.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Dana’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dana brought strong winds and heavy rain to the southwestern part of West Bengal and the eastern part of Odisha.  The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Cyclone Dana was also capable of causing a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over South Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Dana toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dana will move inland over northeastern India.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland.  Even though it will be weakening, Dana will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Odisha and West Bengal on Friday.

Tropical Storm Trami Moves Over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Trami moved over the South China Sea on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 118.3°E which put the center about 215 miles (350 km) northwest of Manila, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

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

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

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the South China Sea.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Trami is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Trami could strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.

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