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Typhoon Surigae Spins East of the Philippines

Typhoon Surigae spun east of the Philippines on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 14.2°N and longitude 126.4°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) east of Daet, Philippines. Surigae was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (275 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 934 mb.

An eyewall replacement cycle was underway in the core of Typhoon Surigae and the typhoon was weakening. The inner part of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall and a much larger outer eyewall formed. The low level winds converged into the outer eyewall and the inner eyewall weakened. The fastest wind speeds were in the inner eyewall. So, the maximum wind speed decreased when the inner eyewall weakened. There were still remnants of the original inner eyewall inside the outer eyewall, but the strongest wind speeds were occurring in the outer eyewall.

Typhoon Surigae was still large and powerful. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.2.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment capable of supporting a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 29°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the south and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae will likely weaken gradually as the eyewall replacement cycle is completed.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high will steer Surigae toward the north-northwest during the next 48 hours. After that time Typhoon Surigae will approach the westerly winds in the middle latitudes. Those winds will turn Surigae toward the northeast. On its anticipated track, the core Typhoon Surigae with the strongest winds will remain east of Luzon.

Typhoon Surigae Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simspson Scale on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 128.8°E which put it about 275 miles (445 km) east-southeast of Laoang, Philippines. Surigae was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 180 m.p.h. (290 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 215 m.p.h. (345 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 900 mb.

Typhoon Surigae continued to intensify rapidly on Saturday. There was a circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) at the center of Surigae. 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 Surigae. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Typhoon Surigae was a large and powerful typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 42.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 65.9.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment capable of supporting a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the southeast and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae may have attained its maximum intensity even though it will move through a very favorable environment. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Surigae to weaken.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Surigae toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. After that time Typhoon Surigae will move more toward the north. On its anticipated track the core Typhoon Surigae with the strongest winds is forecast to pass east of the Philippines.

Typhoon Surigae Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 10.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 220 miles (330 km) northwest of Palau. Surigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 944 mb.

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified on Friday as it moved farther away from Palau. A small circular eye was present at the center of 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 Surigae. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions. The removal of mass allowed the pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Surigae increased in size on Friday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.9. Surigae was a large, dangerous typhoon capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae will likely continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Surigae to weaken.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Surigae toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. After that time Typhoon Surigae will move more toward the north when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Typhoon Surigae could be east of the Philippines in 36 hours.

Surigae Strengthens to Typhoon North of Palau

Former Tropical Storm Surigae strengthened to a typhoon north of Palau on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 8.9°N and longitude 134.2°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) north of Palau. Surigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb. A weather station at the international airport on Palau reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 74 m.p.h. (118 km/h). There were reports of trees down and of wind damage on Palau.

Typhoon Surigae was intensifying more rapidly on Thursday night. Microwave satellite images showed an eye forming at the center of Surigae. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The strongest rainbands were still in the western half of Typhoon Surigae, but more thunderstorms were developing in bands in the eastern half of the circulation. Storms near the center of Surigae were producing strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Typhoon Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae will continue to intensify and it could strengthen rapidly once an inner core is fully formed. Surigae could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane in 24 hours.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days. The high will steer Surigae toward the west-northwest during the next two days. After that time Typhoon Surigae will move more toward the north when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Typhoon Surigae could be east of the Philippines in 48 hours. Conditions on Palau will improve gradually on Friday when Surigae moves farther away.

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.

Tropical Storm Dujuan Develops East of Mindanao

Tropical Storm Dujuan developed east of Mindanao on Thursday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dujuan was located at latitude 7.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 430 miles (695 km) east of Davao, Philippines. Dujuan was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

The circulation around an area of low pressure east of the Philippines strengthened on Thursday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Dujuan. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Dujuan was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Dujuan. Bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms west of the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which 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 Dujuan.

Tropical Storm Dujuan will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dujuan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°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 which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Dujuan. Those winds will create moderate vertical wind shear and they are causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent Dujuan from strengthening. Tropical Storm Dujuan is likely to intensify 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 48 hours. Dujuan could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Mindano and other parts of the southern Philippines.

Typhoon Vamco Makes Landfall Northeast of Manila

Typhoon Vamco made landfall on Luzon northeast of Manila on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Vamco was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 120.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of Manila, Philippines. Vamco was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Vamco was strengthening when it made landfall on Luzon. Vamco was nearly the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall. The circulation around Typhoon Vamco also increased in size prior to landfall. Winds to typhoon force extended out 100 miles (160 km) on the northern side of Vamco. Winds to force extended out 40 miles (65 km) on the southern side of the typhoon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 350 miles in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles in the southern half of Vamco. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Vamco was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.4 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.6. Typhoon Vamco was capable of causing widespread serious damage to Luzon.

The center of Typhoon Vamco passed over the Polillo Islands before it reached Luzon. The center of Vamco will pass just north Manila, but it will be close enough to cause strong winds. The center will pass near San Fernando and Olongapo before it moves over the South China Sea. Typhoon Vamco will drop very heavy rain over Luzon and significant floods could occur. There will also be widespread power outages.

Typhoon Vamco will weaken as it passes over Luzon, but Vamco could still be a typhoon when it reaches the South China Sea. A high pressure system over eastern Asia will steer Typhoon Vamco toward the west. On its anticipated track Vamco could approach Vietnam in two or three days.

Vamco Rapidly Intensifies to Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Vamco rapidly intensified into a typhoon east of Luzon on Tuesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Vamco was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 230 miles (375 km) east of Manila, Philippines. Vamco was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

Typhoon Vamco intensified rapidly on Tuesday. A circular eye was visible on satellite images. 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 Vamco. Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Vamco. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Vamco will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Vamco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Vamco will continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Vamco will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Vamco toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Vamco will make landfall on the east coast of Luzon in about 12 hours. The center of Vamco will pass north of Manila and the core of Typhoon Vamco could come close to San Francisco.

Typhoon Vamco will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Luzon. Vamco will be capable of causing major damage. The heavy rain will cause flash floods in part of Luzon. Typhoon Vamco could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) on the east coast of Luzon. Vamco will weaken when the center passes over Luzon, but it is likely to still be a typhoon when it passes north of Manila. Typhoon Vamco is also likely to cause widespread power outages on Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Etau was dropping heavy rain over Cambodia. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Etau was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 105.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Etau was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Etau Nears Vietnam, Vamco Threatens Philippines

Tropical Storm Etau neared Vietnam on Monday and newly formed Tropical Storm Vamco threatened the Philippines. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Etau was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 111.6°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) east of Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. Etau was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 995 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Etau was asymmetrical. Etau was moving under the southern part of an upper level ridge over eastern Asia. The ridge was producing easterly winds which were blowing toward the top of Etau. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The shear was causing the stronger thunderstorms to occur in bands on the western side of Tropical Storm Etau. The bands in the eastern side of Etau consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the northern half of Tropical Storm Etau. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 50 miles in the southern half of Etau.

Tropical Storm Etau will move south of a high pressure system over eastern Asia. The high will steer Etau toward the west during the next two days. On its anticipated track the center of Etau will make landfall in Vietnam near Tuy Hoa in about 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Etau will move through an environment that should allow it to maintain its intensity until it makes landfall in Vietnam. Etau will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. The upper level ridge over eastern Asia will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear which will limit intensification.

Since the stronger thunderstorms are in the western half of Tropical Storm Etau, heavy rain will fall over central Vietnam before the center of Etau makes landfall. Etau will drop locally heavy rain over central Vietnam, northern Cambodia, southern Laos and northeastern Thailand. The ground is already saturated in that region and flash floods are likely.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Vamco developed east of the Philippines. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Vamco was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 130.6°E which put it about 370 miles (605 km) east of Laoang, Philippines. Vamco was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1002 mb. Tropical Storm Vamco is forecast to move toward Luzon and to strengthen into a typhoon.

Dangerous Typhoon Goni Hits Catanduanes

Extremely dangerous Typhoon Goni hit Catanduanes Island on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Goni was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 124.4°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Virac, Philippines. Goni was moving toward the west-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 235 m.p.h. (380 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 884 mb.

The eye of Typhoon Goni moved over the southern part of Catanduanes Island on Saturday. Despite the development of concentric eyewalls and the occurrence of an eyewall replacement cycle, Goni actually strengthened on Saturday. The original inner eyewall weakened and the outer eyewall contracted around the center of Typhoon Goni. Goni exhibited an eye with a diameter of 14 miles (22 km) when it made landfall on Catanduanes Island.

The circulation around Typhoon Goni increased in size during the eyewall replacement cycle. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Goni. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Goni was 48.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 64.0. Typhoon Goni was capable of causing catastrophic damage on a regional scale.

Typhoon Goni will also generate a storm surge of up to 20 feet (6 meters) along the coasts of Catanduanes Island and southeastern Luzon. Typhoon Goni will move west across the Philippines. Goni will weaken as the core passes over land. The center of Goni will make landfall in southeastern Luzon near Tabaco. The southern eyewall of Goni will produce strong winds in Legaspi. The northern eyewall will bring strong winds to Naga. Typhoon Goni could be near Manila in 18 hours and it could still be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time. Goni will also drop locally heavy rain over southern Luzon and flash floods are likely.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Atsani was organizing slowly east of the Philippines. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Atsani was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) east of Luzon. Atsani was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 1001 mb. Tropical Storm Atsani was forecast to move toward the west and to strengthen.