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Typhoon Muifa Moves Toward Eastern China

Typhoon Muifa moved toward eastern China on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 123.7°E which put it about 280 miles (450 km) south-southeast of Shanghai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Mauifa exhibited good organization on Tuesday morning. A circular eye was present at the center of Muifa. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The wind field around Typhoon Muifa way very symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.9. Typhoon Muifa was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 24 hours. The increase in wind shear and cooler water will cause Typhoon Muifa to weaken gradually.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa will make landfall on the east coast of China south of Shanghai in 18 hours. The center of Muifa could make landfall near Ningbo. Typhoon Muifa will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations in eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok strengthened north-northwest of Wake Island and Tropical Depression 16W also strengthened southwest of Iwo To. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 26.2N and longitude 162.7°E which put it about 500 miles (805 km) north-northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression 16W was located at latitude 22.6N and longitude 139.6°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) southwest of Iwo To. The tropical depression was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Typhoon Muifa Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Muifa brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 25.2°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) north of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest 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.

Typhoon Muifa continued to bring wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday. The center of Typhoon Muifa was moving slowly away from Ishigakijima. The strongest winds were measured in Ishigakijima after the eye passed over. A weather station on Ishigakijima measured a sustained wind speed of 68 m.p.h. (109 km/h). The same weather station measured a surface pressure of 968.3 mb when the eye of Typhoon Muifa passed over it. The weather station measured 11.71 inches (297.5 mm) of rain during the passage of Muifa. Bands in the eastern side of Muifa’s circulation also dropped heavy rain over Miyakojima.

The circulation around Typhoon Muifa remained well organized on Monday. A circular eye was present at the center of Muifa’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken 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 Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Muifa. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.9. Muifa was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. However, an upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 36 hours. The increase in wind shear will cause Typhoon Muifa to start to weaken.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. The strong winds and locally heavy rain in the southern Ryukyu Islands will gradually diminish during the next 24 hours as Typhoon Muifa moves farther away. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could approach the east coast of China south of Shanghai in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok continued to strengthen northwest of Wake Island. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 162.8°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

Eye of Typhoon Muifa Passes over Ishigakijima

The eye of Typhoon Muifa passed directly over Ishigakijima on Sunday night. A weather station on Ishigakijima measured a surface pressure of 968.3 mb. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) east of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest 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.

Typhoon Muifa developed two concentric eyewalls and began an eyewall replacement cycle as it slowly approached Ishigakijima on Sunday. The inner end of rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall and a larger outer eyewall surrounded them. Low level convergence became concentrated in the outer eyewall and the thunderstorms in the inner eyewall weakened. The remnants of the inner eyewall were visible on satellite images as a ring of showers and lower clouds. The outer eyewall had a diameter of 60 miles (95 km). The strongest winds were occurring in the outer eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused Typhoon Muifa to weaken as it approached Ishigakijima. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.4. Typhoon Muifa was capable causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa could intensify during the next 24 hours after the inner eyewall completely dissipates. Since Typhoon Muifa will move slowly, its winds could mix cooler water up to the surface of the ocean. Cooler water would limit potential intensification.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. Typhoon Muifa will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. The strongest winds and heaviest rain are likely to affect Ishigakijima. Gusty winds and locally heavy rain could also affect Miyakojima. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could approach the east coast of China near Shanghai in 60 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok was slowly strengthening west-northwest of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 161.6°E which put it about 365 miles (595 km) west-northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the east-northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1000 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Muifa Nears Ishigakijima

Powerful Typhoon Muifa neared Ishigakijima on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

Typhoon Muifa was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it approached Ishigakijima from the south of Sunday. morning. A small circular eye was present at the center of Muifa’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The inner end of a rainband wrapped part of the way around the eye and eyewall. A second concentric eyewall may be in the process of developing. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.2. Typhoon Muifa was capable causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, two factors could prevent Typhoon Muifa from intensifying even though it will be in a favorable environment. First, if concentric eyewalls develop, then Muifa could weaken when an eyewall replacement cycle occurs. Second, Typhoon Muifa will move slowly and its winds could mix cooler water up to the surface of the ocean. Typhoon Muifa could intensify a little more during the next 12 hours, but it is likely to slowly weaken after that time.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Muifa could be over Ishigakijima within 24 hours. Muifa is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands. The center of Typhoon Muifa could pass directly over Ishigakijima. Ishigakijima is already reporting heavy rain. The wind speeds will increase steadily as the center of Muifa approaches. Typhoon Muifa is capable of causing severe damage. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 15W was spinning west-northwest of Wake Island. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression 15W was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 160.0°E which put it about 460 miles (745 km) west-northwest of Wake Island. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Typhoon Muifa Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Muifa intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane south of the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 140 miles (230 km) south-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (230 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Muifa intensified rapidly to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was present at the center of Muifa’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Muifa increased in size when it intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km/h) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.2. Typhoon Muifa was capable of causing regional major damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Muifa could be near Ishigakijima within 36 hours. Muifa is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands. The center of Typhoon Muifa could pass directly over Ishigakijima. Muifa will produce strong, damaging winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 15W formed west-northwest of Wake Island. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 15W was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 160.0°E which put it about 455 miles (735 km) west-southwest of Wake Island. The tropical depression was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Muifa Intensifies to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Muifa intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 125.8°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Muifa strengthened over the warm water in the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday and it intensified to a typhoon south of the southern Ryukyu Islands. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of circulation. A small eye appeared to be developing at the center of Typhoon Muifa. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Muifa’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extend out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could be south of Ishigakijima in 36 hours. Muifa could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Muifa Forms Southeast of the Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Muifa formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 132.6°E which put it about 730 miles (1175 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Muifa was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 997 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system southeast of the Ryukyu Islands exhibited more organization on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Muifa. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Muifa was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Muifa’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Muifa consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms west of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Muifa will intensify during the next 48 hours. Muifa could strengthen to a typhoon in 24 hours. Muifa could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Muifa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Muifa could approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 72 hours. Muifa is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor Heads Toward South Korea

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor headed toward South Korea on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 30.5°N and longitude 125.3°E which put it about 440 miles (710 km) southwest of Busan, South Korea. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 947 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor was a large and dangerous storm as it headed toward South Korea on Sunday night. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 260 miles (420 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 29.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 53.0. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread major damage.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor was very well organized. A small eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move into an environment less favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 28˚C. An upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Hinnamnor will start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

The upper level trough over China will steer Typhoon Hinnamnor toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor will be near Jeju Island in 12 hours. Hinnamnor will approach the coast of South Korea near Busan in 18 hours. Although Typhoon Hinnamnor will weaken as it approaches South Korea, it will still be a large, powerful typhoon. Hinnamnor will bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Korea. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Hinnamnor could also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Japan.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Intensifies Back to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor intensified back to the equivalent of a major hurricane west of Okinawa on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 124.4°E which put it about 205 miles (330 km) west of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor strengthened back to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the East China Sea west of Okinawa on Saturday night. Two concentric eyewalls appeared to have formed in the middle of Typhoon Hinnamnor. A small inner eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was that the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The inner eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. A much larger, outer eyewall with a diameter of 100 miles (160 km) surrounded the inner eye and eyewall.

The formation of concentric eyewalls caused the size of the circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor to increase. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 270 miles (435 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 29.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.4. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor could intensify until the inner eyewall starts to weaken and an eyewall replacement cycle begins. Hinnamnor will move closer to the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes on Monday. The vertical wind shear will increase when that happens and Hinnamnor will weaken.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Hinnamnor toward the north during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move toward northeast when it reaches the westerly winds in the middle latitudes. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will move east of Shanghai in 24 hours. Hinnamnor could approach South Korea in 36 hours.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Hinnamnor brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) east-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Hinnamnor was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Typhoon Hinnamnor strengthened as it moved slowly through the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday morning. A small circular eye formed at the center of Hinnamnor’s circulation. The eye was east of Ishigakijima and southwest of Miyakojima. The eye was surrounded by a broken 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 Typhoon Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Hinnamnor had a large circulation. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 225 miles (360 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 16.4. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.7. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain over the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 12 hours. The eastern side of the eyewall could pass over or close to Miyakojima. Strong winds will be capable of causing serious damage. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. The winds will not be as strong on Ishigakijima because the western side of the eyewall will pass to the east. Weather conditions will improve gradually when Typhoon Hinnamnor moves farther to the north.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor will intensity during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Hinnamnor toward the north during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will move across the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 12 hours. The center of Hinnamnor will be west of Okinawa in 24 hours. Typhoon Hinnamnor could be southeast of Shanghai in 36 hours.