Typhoon Noru Hits Luzon

Typhoon Noru hit Luzon on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 121.9°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) east-northeast of Manila, Philippines. Noru was moving toward the west 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 926 mb.

Small, but powerful Typhoon Noru hit the coast of Luzon east-northeast of Manila on Sunday morning. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Typhoon Noru. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Noru was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.7. Typhoon Noru was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Noru will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Noru toward the west during the next 72 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Noru will move across central Luzon. The center of Noru could pass just north of Manila in a few hours. Typhoon Noru will bring strong, gusty winds to central Luzon. Severe damage could occur near the small core of Noru’s circulation. Widespread electrical outages are likely. Heavy rain will also fall over near the core of Typhoon Noru. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Since the circulation around Typhoon Noru is small, it is likely to weaken quickly while it passes over Luzon. There is a chance that Noru could still be a typhoon when it reaches the South China Sea. Noru will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea. Noru 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 eastern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Noru’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.

Typhoon Noru could approach the coast of Vietnam in less than 72 hours. Noru could be a typhoon when it approaches the coast of Vietnam.