Monthly Archives: November 2024

Tropical Storm Sara Forms Near Honduras

Tropical Storm Sara formed near Honduras on Thursday afternoon.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 82.9°W which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  Sara was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Sal, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua.  A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that former Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen had strengthened on Thursday afternoon.  Based on data from the reconnaissance plane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Sara.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Sara exhibited more organization on Thursday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Sara’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in the bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Sara.  Storms near the center of Sara generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Sara were occurring in the part of Sara’s circulation that was over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern half of Tropical Storm Sara.  The winds over land were not as strong.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Sara will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the center of circulation moves inland over northern Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move parallel to the coast of Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also drop very heavy rain on Honduras and northern Nicaragua.  Heavy rain will very likely cause floods and mudslides.

 

Typhoon Usagi Hits Northern Luzon

Typhoon Usagi hit northern Luzon on Wednesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Usagi was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 122.7°E which put the center about 1205 miles (195 km) southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Usagi was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 915 mb.

Typhoon Usagi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of Luzon on Wednesday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 5 miles (8 km) was at the center of Usagi’s circulation.  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 revolved around the core of Typhoon Usagi.  Storms near the core of Usagi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall at the center of Usagi’s circulation during Wednesday evening and concentric eyewalls could be forming.

The circulation around Typhoon Usagi was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Usagi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Typhoon Usagi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Usagi was 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.0 . Typhoon Usagi was similar in size to Hurricane Ida when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021.  Usagi was not as big as Ida was.

Typhoon Usagi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Usagi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Usagi will move across northeast Luzon during the next few hours.

Typhoon Usagi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides in some locations.  Usagi could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet ( 4 meters) on the coast of northeastern Luzon.  The area likely to be hit by Usagi was just hit by Typhoon Toraji a few days ago.  Typhoon Usagi will complicate recovery efforts in Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Toraji weakened to a tropical depression south of Hong Kong, and Tropical Storm Man-yi was moved north of Yap.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Toraji was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 113.9°E which put the center about 90 miles (145 km) south of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1005 mb.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 137.0°E which put the center about 120 miles (195 km) north of Yap. Man-yi was moving toward the west-southwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1000 mb.

Hurricane Watch Issued for Honduras, Tropical Storm Watch for Nicaragua

The risk posed by a low pressure system over the Caribbean Sea prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for Honduras and a Tropical Storm Watch for Nicaragua.  The designation of the low pressure system has been changed from Invest 99L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 79.0°E which put the center about 290 miles (430 km) east-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Castilla, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center changed the designation of former Invest 99L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen on Wednesday afternoon.  The circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen exhibited more organization on Wednesday afternoon.  Thunderstorms began to form near the center of circulation.  The thunderstorms near the center of circulation also started to generate some upper level divergence.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  It will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen is likely to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm on Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will approach Nicaragua and Honduras on Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will bring strong winds and very heavy rain to Honduras and northern Nicaragua.  Heavy rain will very likely cause floods and mudslides.

Low Pressure System Forms Over Caribbean Sea

A low pressure system formed over the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday.  The low pressure system was designated as invest 99L.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Invest 99L was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 77.6°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south-southwest of Kingston Jamaica.   Invest 99L was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

The circulation around Invest 99L was large, but it was not well organized.  There were at least three smaller counterclockwise circulations revolving around inside the larger circulation.  One of the smaller circulations was north of Honduras.  A second smaller circulation was southwest of Jamaica and the third smaller circulation was southeast of Jamaica.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around each of the smaller circulations.

Invest 99L will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Invest 99L will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge.  Invest 99L is likely to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm during the next day or two.

Invest 99L will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 99L slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 99L will move slowly toward Nicaragua and Honduras.

Typhoon Usagi Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Usagi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Wednesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Usagi was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 124.8°E which put the center about 485 miles (780 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Usagi was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 949 mb.

Typhoon Usagi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of Luzon on Wednesday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 5 miles (8 km) formed at the center of Usagi’s circulation.  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 revolved around the core of Typhoon Usagi.  Storms near the core of Usagi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Usagi was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Usagi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Typhoon Usagi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Usagi was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.5.  Typhoon Usagi was similar in size to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Usagi was not as big as Harvey was.

Typhoon Usagi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Usagi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°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 Usagi could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.  However, since the core of Usagi’s circulation is so small, the inner end of a rainband could wrap around the core.  If concentric eyewalls form, an eyewall replacement cycle would halt the intensification of Typhoon Usagi.

Typhoon Usagi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Usagi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Usagi will move near northeast Luzon in 18 hours.

Typhoon Usagi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides in some locations.  Usagi could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet ( 4 meters) on the coast of northeastern Luzon.  The area likely to be hit by Usagi was just hit by Typhoon Toraji a few days ago.  Typhoon Usagi will complicate recovery efforts in Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Toraji was approaching the coast of China east of Hong Kong, and Tropical Storm Man-yi was moving away from the Marianas.

At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 21.9°N and longitude 114.9°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 995 mb.

At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 140.4°E which put the center about 280 miles (450 km) west-southwest of Guam.  Man-yi was moving toward the west-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

Tropical Storm Man-yi Brings Gusty Winds to Guam

Tropical Storm Man-yi brought gusty winds to Guam on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 144.4°E which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) southeast of Guam.  Man-yi was moving toward the southwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 Warnings were in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Man-yi brought gusty wind to Guam and the Marianas on Tuesday.  A weather station at the Guam International Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and a wind gust of 48 m.p.h. (77 km/h) on Tuesday.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Man-yi was somewhat disorganized.  There were not many thunderstorms near the center of Man-yi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern side of the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi.  Bands in the northern side of Man-yi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Man-yi was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Man-yi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Man-yi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern side 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 Man-yi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Man-yi could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Man-yi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Man-yi will move away from the Marianas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened east of the Philippines, Tropical Depression Yinxing moved inland over Vietnam, and Tropical Storm Toraji was spinning over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Usagi was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 128.3°E which put the center about 530 miles (850 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Usagi was moving toward the west 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 987 mb.

At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Yinxing was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 108.2°E which put the center about 145 miles (235 km) south of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 116.8°E which put the center about 245 miles (395 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 997 mb.

Tropical Storm Usagi Forms East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Usagi formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Monday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Usagi was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 134.2°E which put the center about 945 miles (1525 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Usagi was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 991 mb.

Another tropical storm formed east of the Philippines on Monday.  Former Tropical Depression Twentyseven-W strengthened and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Usagi.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Usagi’s circulation.  However, the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Usagi was asymmetrical.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Usagi’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Usagi consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Usagi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Usagi was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Usagi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Usagi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Usagi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the southern side 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 Usagi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Usagi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Usagi could strengthen to a typhoon on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Usagi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Usagi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Usagi will move toward the Philippines.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Typhoon Toraji weakened as it moved away from the Philippines, Tropical Storm Yinxing approached the coast of Vietnam, Tropical Storm Watches were issued in the Marianas for Tropical Storm Man-yi.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 118.7°E which put the center about 420 miles (675 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest 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.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Yinxing was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 109.6°E which put the center about 130 miles (210 km) southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the south-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 999 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 150.5°E which put the center about 430 miles (695 km) east of Guam.  Man-yi was moving toward the west-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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

Typhoon Toraji Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Typhoon Toraji brought wind and rain to Luzon on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Toraji was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 121.8°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) east of Echague, Philippines.  Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 970 mb.

The center of Typhoon Toraji made landfall on the coast of Luzon east of Echague on Sunday night.  Toraji was a relatively small typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles from the center of Typhoon Toraji.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Toraji was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.7. and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 21.6. Typhoon Toraji was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Isaias when Isaias hit North Carolina in 2020.

Typhoon Toraji will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Toraji toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the Typhoon Toraji will move across northern Luzon during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Toraji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods and mudslides.  Toraji will also cause a storm surge of up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) along the coast of northeastern Luzon.  Northern Luzon is trying to recover from the damage caused by two recent typhoons.  Typhoon Toraji will seriously disrupt those recovery activities.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Yinxing continued to weaken over the South China Sea, Tropical Storm Man-yi continued to move toward the Marianas, and a new tropical depression formed west of Guam.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yinxing was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 111.3°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the south-southwest 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 993 mb.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 152.2°E which put the center about 460 miles (740 km) east of Saipan.  Man-yi was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Twentyseven-W was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 138.5°E which put the center about 370 miles (595 km) west of Guam.  The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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. (60 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Toraji Rapidly Intensifies to a Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Toraji rapidly intensified to a typhoon east of Luzon on Sunday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Toraji was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 122.7°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east-southeast of Echague, Philippines. Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 970 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Toraji rapidly intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Toraji’s circulation.  An eye formed at the center of Typhoon Toraji.  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 revolved around the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Toraji generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Toraji was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Typhoon Toraji.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Toraji was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.7. and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 21.6.  Typhoon Toraji was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Isaias when Isaias hit North Carolina in 2020.

Typhoon Toraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Toraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under 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 Toraji will continue to intensify during the next few hours.

Typhoon Toraji will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Toraji toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center Typhoon Toraji will reach Luzon in a few hours.

Typhoon Toraji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods and mudslides.  Toraji will also cause a storm surge of up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) along the coast of northeastern Luzon.  Northern Luzon is trying to recover from the damage caused by two recent typhoons.  Typhoon Toraji will seriously disrupt those recovery activities.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Typhoon Yinxing weakened rapidly over the South China Sea and Tropical Storm Man-yi moved closer to the Marianas.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yinxing was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 111.7°E which put the center about 290 miles (465 km) east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 988 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 153.4°E which put the center about 540 miles (870 km) east of Saipan.  Man-yi was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Toraji Rapidly Develops East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Toraji rapidly developed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 127.7°E which put the center about 495 miles (795 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Toraji was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 990 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened rapidly on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Toraji.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Toraji organized quickly on Saturday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Toraji generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Toraji was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Toraji’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Toraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Toraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under 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.  Tropical Storm Toraji will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Toraji could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Storm Toraji is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Toraji will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Toraji toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Toraji will approach Luzon in a little over 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Toraji is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches northern Luzon.  Toraji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods and mudslides.  Northern Luzon is trying to recover from two recent typhoons.  Typhoon Toraji is likely to seriously disrupt those recovery activities.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Yinxing passed south of Hong Kong and Tropical Storm Man-yi formed east of the Marianas.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Yinxing was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 113.1°E which put the center about 220 miles (360 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Yinxing was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 960 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 156.1°E which put the center about 720 miles (1160 km) east of Saipan.  Man-yi was moving toward the northwest at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 999 mb.