Typhoon Danas Brings Wind and Rain to Taiwan

Typhoon Danas brought strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan on Sunday.  Danas weakened to a tropical storm after it moved across Taiwan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 25.9°N and longitude 121.6°E which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) north-northwest of Taipei, Taiwan.  Danas was moving toward the north-northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 989 mb.

The center of former Typhoon Danas moved north-northeast across western Taiwan on Sunday.  Danas produced strong winds and heavy rains as it moved across Taiwan.  The heaviest rain fell in parts of southern Taiwan and in a few mountain areas where the winds were blowing up the slopes.  The Central Weather Administration’s radar estimated that up to a foot (300 mm) of rain fell in some locations.

Former Typhoon Danas weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across western Taiwan.  The center of Danas’ circulation moved over the East China Sea on Sunday night.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Danas.  Thunderstorms were also still occurring in bands revolving around the center of Danas’ circulation.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Danas was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of Danas’ circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the western side of Danas.

Tropical Storm Danas will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Danas will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low over eastern China.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Danas’ circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Danas could intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level low over eastern China will steer Tropical Storm Danas toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Danas will move away from Taiwan.  Tropical Storm Danas could approach the east coast of China in 36 hours.

Wind speeds will decrease in Taiwan when Tropical Storm Danas moves farther away.  Heavy rain should also diminish as the circulation around Danas moves away from Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Mun weakened east of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Mun was located at latitude 35.5°N and longitude 148.7°E which put the center about 520 miles (835 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Mun was moving toward the north-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 986 mb.