Tropical Storm Kompasu Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kompasu brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Kompasu was located at latitude 18.9°N and longitude 120.9°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) north of Claveria, Philippines. Kompasu was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 981 mb.

Rainbands in the southern side of Tropical Storm Kompasu brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Monday. The center of Kompasu passed just north of Luzon. Thunderstorms in bands in southern half of Tropical Storm Kompasu passed over the northern end of Luzon. Kompasu strengthened as it approached northern Luzon. More thunderstorms developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Kompasu. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) from the center of Kompasu.

Tropical Storm Kompasu will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Kompasu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move south of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kompasu’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Kompasu is likely to strengthen gradually during the next 24 hours. Kompasu could intensify to a typhoon over the South China Sea.

Tropical Storm Kompasu will move south of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Kompasu toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kompasu will pass south of Hong Kong in 24 hours. Kompasu could approach Hainan in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Namtheun intensified east of the northern Marianas. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Namtheun was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 154.0°E which put it about 555 miles (895 km) east of Agrihan. Namtheun was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 988 mb.