Monthly Archives: November 2025

Tropical Storm Koto Develops Over Sulu Sea

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Tropical Storm Koto developed over the northern Sulu Sea on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Koto was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 119.5°E which put the center about 55 miles (90 km) northwest of Coron, Philippines.  Koto was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

A low pressure system over the northern Sulu Sea strengthened on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Koto.

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

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Koto was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) in the northern side of Koto’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Koto.

Tropical Storm Koto will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Koto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Koto will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Koto will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Koto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Koto will move over northern Palawan.  Koto will move over the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Tropical Cyclone Palawan will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Palawan.  Koto will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to Busuanga Island, Culion Island, Linapacan Island and the Calamian Group of islands.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Fina Hits Kimberley Coast

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Tropical Cyclone Fina hit the northeast Kimberley coast of Australia on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 14.3°S and longitude 127.9°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) east of Kalumburu, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 946 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Fina hit the northeast Kimberley coast of Australia near the Mouth of the Berkeley River on Monday.  Fina was the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall.  Tropical Cyclone Fina was bringing strong destructive winds and heavy rain to the region near the Mouth of the Berkeley River.  Fina was also causing a strong storm surge in the small area near the center of its circulation.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was very small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Fina was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.6.  Tropical Cyclone Fina was similar in intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.  Fina was not as large as Dennis was.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the western end of a high pressure system over northern Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Fina toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fina will move inland over the Kimberley Plateau.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will weaken quickly because of its small size as it moves over the Kimberley Plateau.  Fina will continue to produce strong winds and to drop locally heavy rain as it moves inland.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

 

Tropical Cyclone Fina Moves Over Timor Sea

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Tropical Cyclone Fina was moving over the Timor Sea on Sunday after it caused wind damage and electricity outages in Darwin.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 13.7°S and longitude 128.8°E which put the center about 155 miles (250 km) west-southwest of Darwin, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 960 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Wadeye, Australia to the Daly River Mouth.  A Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia to Kalumburu.

Tropical Cyclone Fina was still a well organized tropical cyclone on Sunday.  A small circular eye was visible at the center of Fina’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 were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the core of Fina generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Fina was 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 26.6.  Tropical Cyclone Fina was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over northern Australia.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fina’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  However, the circulation around the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Fina will begin to pull drier air from northwestern Australia into its circulation.  The drier air will cause thunderstorms in the eastern side of Fina’s circulation to start to weaken.  The effects of the drier air will cause Tropical Cyclone Fina to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the western end of a high pressure system over northern Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Fina toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina will reach the coast of Western Australia near of the King George River Mouth in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of the Western Australia northeast of Kalumburu.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of the Western Australia.

Flood Watches are in effect for the North West Coastal Rivers and the Bonaparte Coastal Rivers.

Tropical Cyclone Fina Brings Wind and Rain to Darwin

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Tropical Cyclone Fina brought wind and rain to Darwin, Australia on Saturday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 12.2°S and longitude 130.4°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) northwest of Darwin, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Hotham to Wadeye, Australia.  The Warning includes Darwin.  A Warning is also in effect for the western and central Tiwi Islands.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Wadeye to Troughton Island, Australia.  The Watch includes Kalumburu.

Tropical Cyclone Fina brought wind and rain to the area around Darwin, Australia on Saturday.  The core of Fina’s circulation, where the strongest winds were, was passing to the northwest of Darwin.  A weather station at the Darwin Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 37 m.p.h. (57 km/h) and a wind gust to 53 m.p.h. (85 km/h).  The weather station also measure 5.89 inches (149.6 mm) of rain.

Tropical Cyclone Fina intensified to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved over the Timor Sea.  A very small eye was present at the center of Fina’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 were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the core of Fina generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Fina was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.0.  Tropical Cyclone Fina was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Idalia when Idalia hit Florida in 2023.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification while it moves over the Timor Sea during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over northern Australia.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fina’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fina could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the western end of a high pressure system over northern Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Fina toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina will move away from Darwin during the next 24 hours.   Fina will approach the coast of Western Australia northeast of Kalumburu in 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia southwest of Darwin.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of the Northern Territory.

Flood Watches are in effect for the North West Coastal Rivers and the Bonaparte Coastal Rivers.

Tropical Cyclone Fina Crosses Cobourg Peninsula

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Tropical Cyclone Fina moved across the Cobourg Peninsula in northern Australia on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 11.8°S and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Darwin, Australia.   Fina was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 979 mb.

A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Daly River Mouth to Cape Don, Australia.  The Warning includes Darwin.  A Warning is also in effect for the Tiwi Islands.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Wadeye to Daly River Mouth.

Tropical Cyclone Fina intensified a little after it crossed the Cobourg Peninsula and moved over the Van Dieman Gulf.  A small circular eye was at the center of Fina’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 were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the core of Fina generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification while it moves over the Van Dieman Gulf during the next few hours. Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over northern Australia.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fina’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the western end of a high pressure system over northern Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Fina toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina will pass near Darwin in 12 hours.   Fina will move over the Timor Sea on Saturday.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of the Northern Territory.

Flood Watches are in effect for the North West Coastal Rivers.

Tropical Cyclone Fina Moves Toward Northern Australia

Tropical Cyclone Fina started to move toward the coast of northern Australia on Thursday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 10.4°S and longitude 132.4°E which put the center about 185 miles (300 km) northeast of Darwin, Australia and about 70 miles (110 km) north of Minjilang, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the west-southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 980 mb.

A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Dundee Beach to Warruwi, Australia.  The Warning includes Darwin, Minjilang and the Cobourg Peninsula.  A Warning is also in effect for the Tiwi Islands.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Wadeye to Daly River Mouth.

Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon after it started to move toward the coast of northern Australia on Thursday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center to Fina’s circulation.  A small circular eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Fina’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Fina generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

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

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over northern Australia.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fina’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the western end of a high pressure system over northern Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Fina toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina will pass near the northwestern end of the Cobourg Peninsula in 12 hours.  The center of Fina could be near the eastern end of Melville Island in 24 hours.  Fina could reach Darwin in less than 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of the Northern Territory.

Flood Watches are in effect for the North West Coastal Rivers.

Tropical Cyclone Fina Prompts Warning for North Coast of Australia

The risk posed by Tropical Cyclone Fina prompted the Australia Bureau of Meteorology to issue warnings and watches for portions of the northern coast of Australia on Tuesday night.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 132.8°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) north-northeast of Darwin, Australia and about 105 miles (165 km) north of Minjilang, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 987 mb.

A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Don to Warruwi, Australia including the Cobourg Peninsula and Minjilang.

A Watch is in effect for the Tiwi Islands.  A Watch is also in effect for the portion of the coast from Maningrida to Milingimbi, Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthened as it moved over the Arafura Sea north of Australia on Tuesday night.  Thunderstorms continued to develop near the center of Fina’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the center of Fina’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

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

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move though a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Fina will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fina could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the southern side of a narrow high pressure system that is near the Equator.  The high pressure system will steer Fina slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fina will move parallel to the northern coast of Australia.  Fina will start to move south toward the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia on Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Fina is likely to reach the northern coast of the Northern Territory of Australia within 36 hours.  Fina will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Fina could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of the Northern Territory.

A Flood Watch is in effect for areas across the northwest Top End of Australia.

 

Tropical Cyclone Fina Forms North of Darwin

Tropical Cyclone Fina formed over the western Arafura Sea north of Darwin, Australia on Tuesday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 195 miles (315 km) north-northeast of Darwin, Australia and about 120 miles (195 km) north-northwest of Minjilang, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the western Arafura Sea strengthened on Tuesday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Tropical Cyclone Fina was strengthening on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Fina’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the center of Fina’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move though a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Fina will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the southern side of a narrow high pressure system that is near the Equator.  The high pressure system will steer Fina slowly toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fina will move parallel to the northern coast of Australia.  Fina is forecast to move south toward Australia later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Fina could affect the northern coast of the Northern Territory of Australia later this week.  Fina is likely to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong Clips Southern Taiwan

Tropical Storm Fung-wong clipped the southern part of Taiwan on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 122.5°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south of Taipei, Taiwan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1001 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong moved across southern Taiwan on Wednesday.  Fung-wong brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain as it moved across Taiwan.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong continued to weaken as it moved across southern Taiwan on Wednesday.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into many parts of Fung-wong’s circulation.  A few thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.  Other thunderstorms were located northeast of the center where Fung-wong’s circulation was interacting with a frontal boundary.  There was little upper level divergence.  Since mass was not being transported away from Tropical Storm Fung-wong, the surface pressure was increasing.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Fung-wong was very asymmetrical.  The pressure gradient between a high pressure system over eastern Asia and Tropical Storm Fung-wong was causing a large area of tropical storm winds to the north of Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 320 miles (520 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is over eastern China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow across the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the drier air that is already in the circulation around Fung-wong will suppress the formation of new thunderstorms.  Strong vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Fung-wong to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move over the southern Ryukyu Island.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will bring gusty winds and rain showers to the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Fung-wong Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Fung-wong weakened to a tropical storm over the South China Sea southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 11934°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 990 mb.

Former Typhoon Fung-wong weakened to a tropical storm southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday morning.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into the core of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Fung-wong to dissipate.  The dissipation of the thunderstorms significantly reduced the amount of upper level divergence.  Since the upper level divergence pumped less mass away from Tropical Storm Fung-wong, the surface pressure increased.

An upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear was blowing the upper part of Fung-wong’s circulation toward the north of the circulation in the lower levels.  Many of the bands in Tropical Storm Fung-wong consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Even though Tropical Storm Fung-wong was weakening, the circulation around Fung-wong was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern half of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  The upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean will continue to produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the drier air that is already in the circulation around Fung-wong will suppress the formation of new thunderstorms.  Strong vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Fung-wong to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move across Taiwan during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will bring strong winds and isolated heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move across the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday.