Tag Archives: Taiwan

Yutu Strengthens Into a Typhoon East of the Marianas

Former Tropical Storm Yutu strengthened into a typhoon east of the Marianas on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 11.8°N and longitude 151.2°E which put it about 475 miles (770 km) east-southeast of Guam.  Yutu was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

A Typhoon Warning was in effect for Tinian and Saipan.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Rota.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

The circulation around Typhoon Yutu became better organized on Monday.  An inner rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of circulation.  A partial eyewall appeared to be forming.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Yutu.  The strongest thunderstorms were developing in the bands in the eastern half of the circulation.  There were thunderstorms in bands in the western side of Typhoon Yutu, but those bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 60 miles (95 km) from center center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Typhoon Yutu will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next two or three days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Yutu will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane in a day or two.

Typhoon Yutu will move around the southwestern portion of an ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Typhoon Yutu toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will move over the Northern Marianas in about 36 to 48 hours.  Yutu will be a typhoon when it reaches the Marianas.  It will bring strong winds and it could be capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Kong-rey Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Typhoon Kong-rey was bringing wind and rain to Okinawa on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 127.3°W which put it about 230 miles (375 km) south of Okinawa.  Kong-rey was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Typhoon Kongrey weakened steadily during Wednesday.  The eye became less distinct on satellite imagery.  The ring of strong thunderstorms around the eye broke and stronger thunderstorms were only occurring to the east of the eye.  It appeared that Typhoon Kong-rey was pulling cooler, drier air into the western half of the circulation and that air was wrapping around the southern half of the typhoon.  Kong-rey may have also moved over some cooler water that was mixed to the surface by Typhoon Trami last week.

The circulation around Typhoon Kong-rey was still large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 230 miles (375 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey was 11.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 24.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.2.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Kong-rey toward the north during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Typhoon Kong-rey will turn more toward the northeast in about 36 hours.

The outer rainbands on the northern side of Typhoon Kong-rey are already over Okinawa.  Kong-rey will drop heavy rain and it will produce gusty winds over Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands on Thursday.  The wind and rain will hinder efforts to recover from damage caused by Typhoon Trami.  Typhoon Kong-rey could be southeast of Kyushu in about 36 hours and it could be near South Korea in about 48 hours.  The soil in much of Japan is already near saturation and more heavy rain could cause flash flooding.  Typhoon Kong-rey could also hinder recovery efforts in Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu.

Typhoon Kong-rey Quickly Strengthens Into Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Kong-rey quickly strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 137.3°E which put it about 690 miles (1110 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 910 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Kong-rey was very organized and symmetrical.  There was a circular eye at the center of Kong-rey.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Kong-rey.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Kong-rey is a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 240 miles (390 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kong-rey is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 26.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 61.8.  Typhoon Kong-rey is capable of causing widespread catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Kong-rey will remain in an environment very favorable for strong typhoons for another 24 to 36 hours.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  If a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Kong-rey to weaken.  An upper level trough near Taiwan will produce southwesterly winds which will cause the vertical wind shear to increase in a couple of days.  Kong-rey will weaken more steadily when the wind shear increases.

Typhoon Kong-rey will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kong-rey toward the northwest for several more days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kong-rey could approach the Rykyu Islands in 48 to 60 hours.  It will still be a typhoon at that time.  If Typhoon Kong-rey brings strong winds and heavy rain, it will hamper the recovery from Typhoon Trami which hit the Ryukyu Islands a few days ago.

Typhoon Trami Moves Slowly Toward Okinawa

Typhoon Trami moved slowly toward Okinawa on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Trami was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 345 miles (560 km) south of Okinawa.  Trami was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

The structure of Typhoon Trami changed significantly during the past 48 hours.  A second eyewall replacement cycle produced a larger eye and a bigger circulation.  Very slow movement of Typhoon Trami allowed the wind to mix cooler water to the surface.  Cooler water meant that there was less energy in the upper ocean to fuel the circulation.  The combination of the eyewall replacement cycle and cooler water resulted in a reduction of the wind speed and the surface pressure increased.

Although it is not as strong as it was 48 hours ago , Typhoon Trami is still a large powerful typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 225 miles (360 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Trami is 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 24.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 42.3.  Typhoon Trami is capable of producing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Trami is likely to weaken slowly while it remains over the cooler water it has mixed to the surface.  When Trami moves north of that water in 12 to 24 hours, it will move into a more favorable environment.  Typhoon Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will still be in an area where the upper level winds are not too strong and there will not be much vertical wind shear.  The broad circulation and large eye will prevent rapid intensification, but Typhoon Trami could strengthen on Friday.

Typhoon Trami will still be in area where the steering winds are weak on Thursday.  It will move slowly toward the north during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Eventually a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean will begin to steer Typhoon Trami again.  Typhoon Trami will move toward the north at a faster rate on Friday.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Trami could be near Okinawa by late Friday.  Typhoon Trami could approach Kyushu in about 72 hours and it could move across Honshu during the weekend.

Typhoon Trami Intensifies in Equivalent of Category 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Trami intensified on Monday into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Trami was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 129.0°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) south of Okinawa.  Trami was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind sped was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 912 mb.

Typhoon Trami went through an eyewall replacement cycle on Sunday, which temporarily interrupted its intensification.  When the inner eyewall dissipated on Monday, then Typhoon Trami resumed intensifying.  The eyewall replacement cycle caused Trami’s circulation to get larger.  There is now a large circular eye with a diameter of 40 miles (65 km) at the center of circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Trami.  Storms around the core are generating large amounts of upper level divergence which is pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Typhoon Trami has a large symmetrical circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 235 miles (380 km) from the center of circulation.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Trami is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 25.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 60.3.

Typhoon Trami will move through an environment very favorable for intense typhoons during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Trami has been through one eyewall replacement cycle.  If another rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall and another eyewall replacement cycle starts, then weakening could occur.  An upper level trough near the east coast of China will move north of Typhoon Trami.  Westerly winds at the southern end of the trough could affect the northern portion of Trami’s circulation.  If wind shear increases later this week, then Typhoon Trami will weaken.

Typhoon Trami will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Trami in a west-northwesterly direction during the next 12 to 24 hours.  The upper level trough will weaken the ridge and Trami could turn more toward the north in a day or so.  The winds steering Typhoon Trami could weaken during the middle of the week and it could move slowly toward the north for a day or two.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Trami could approach the southern Rykyu Islands in three or four days.  Trami could still be a powerful typhoon at that time.

Trami Strengthens Into a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Trami strengthened into a typhoon on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Trami was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 134.6°E which put it about 810 miles (1310 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Trami was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Trami became more circular and symmetrical on Saturday.   An inner band of thunderstorms wrapped most of the way around the center of circulation and eye was developing at the center of Trami.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Trami.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center.

Typhoon Trami will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Trami could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next day or two.

Typhoon Trami will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Trami toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Trami could be east of Taiwan and southeast of the Ryukyu Islands in four or five days.  It could be a powerful typhoon at that time.

Tropical Storm Trami Develops West of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Trami developed west of the Marianas on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 140.8°E which put it about 285 miles (460 km) northwest of Guam.  Trami was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 993 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Trami.  An inner band of thunderstorms wrapped tightly around the northern and western sides of the center of circulation.  Several other bands of showers and thunderstorms in the eastern half of the circulation were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Trami.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the core of Trami were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Trami will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Trami will continue to intensify and it could become a typhoon during the next 24 hours.  A period of rapid intensification is possible once the inner core is fully developed.  Tropical Storm Trami could become the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Trami will continue to move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Trami in a general west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Trami could be southeast of Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands in four or five days.  It could be a powerful typhoon at that time.

Tropical Depression 28W Forms Over the Marianas

Tropical Depression 28W formed over the Mariana Islands on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression 28W was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 144.8°E which put it about 15 miles (25 km) east-northeast of Guam.  It was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1002 mb.  Tropical Storm Watches were issued for Rota, Saipan and Tinian.

Tropical Depression 28W was still organizing on Thursday.  A distinct center of circulation formed in an area of thunderstorms near the Marianas.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms developed around the circulation.  The strongest rainbands were forming in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also forming in the western half of the circulation but there were fewer strong thunderstorms in that half of the tropical depression.  Storm closer to the center of circulation were starting to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the depression.

Tropical Depression 28W will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The tropical depression will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression 28W will intensify during the next few days.  It is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm on Friday and it could intensify into a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Depression 28W will move around the southern side of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days.  The ridge will steer the depression in a general west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track the depression could be southeast of Okinawa in four or five days and it is likely to be a typhoon at that time.

Typhoon Mangkhut Approaches Southern China

After causing significant destruction over northern Luzon, Typhoon Mangkhut approached southern China on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 114.4°E which put it about 130 miles (205 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

The inner core of Typhoon Mangkhut was disrupted when it moved across the northern end of Luzon.  The inner eyewall weakened and a larger ragged eye was at the center of the typhoon.  Recent visible satellite images seemed to show an inner rainband wrapping more tightly around the center of circulation and the inner core of Typhoon Mangkhut could be reorganizing.  A smaller eye could be redeveloping at the center of circulation.

Even though it has weakened since yesterday, Typhoon Mangkhut has a very large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 350 miles (565 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mangkhut is 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 28.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Index (HWISI) is 45.0.  Typhoon Mangkhut is capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Mangkhut is moving southwest of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon quickly toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut will pass south of Hong Kong in a few hours.  Mangkhut will make landfall on the coast of south China near Yangjiang in about 12 hours.  Typhoon Mangkhut will bring strong gusty winds to southern China.  It will cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast.  Mangkhut will also drop heavy rain and it will cause flash floods.

Powerful Typhoon Mangkhut Hits Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Mangkhut hit northern Luzon on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 121.5°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) east of Laoag, Philippines.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (320 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 908 mb.

Mangkhut is a large and dangerous typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 330 miles (530 km) from the center.  The outer rainbands around Typhoon Mangkhut stretch from Manila, Philippines to southern Taiwan.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) is 36.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 38.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 75.3.  Typhoon Mangkhut is bigger than Hurricane Katrina was when Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.  Typhoon Mangkhut has the potential to cause extensive catastrophic damage over parts of Luzon.

Typhoon Mangkhut will cause extensive catastrophic wind damage over northern Luzon.  It will also drop heavy rain and there will be flash floods.  The flooding will be worse in areas of steeper slopes.  There will be a significant storm surge on the coast of extreme northeastern Luzon.

Typhoon Mangkhut will weaken while it crosses northern Luzon.  Mangkhut will then move quickly off to the west-northwest. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut could be near Hong Kong in about 30 hours.