Tropical Storm Dujuan Moves Toward Mindanao

Tropical Storm Dujuan moved toward Mindanao on Friday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Dujuan was located at latitude 6.2°N and longitude 130.1°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) east of Davao, Philippines. Dujuan was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (11 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.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Dujuan was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northwestern quadrant of Dujuan. Bands in the rest of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms northwest of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northwest of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Dujuan.

Tropical Storm Dujuan will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Dujuan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification. However, Tropical Storm Dujuan will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce strong easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Dujuan. Those winds are causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms and they will create strong vertical wind shear. In addition, a surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will produce strong northeasterly winds in the lower levels. Those winds will transport drier air over the Philippines. The combination of vertical wind shear and drier air will likely prevent further intensification of Tropical Storm Dujuan. Dujuan is likely to weaken gradually during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Dujuan will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Dujuan toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Dujuan could approach northeastern Mindano in 36 hours. Dujuan could be a tropical storm when it reaches Mindanao. It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Mindano and other parts of the southern Philippines.