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Typhoon Khanun Approaches Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun was approaching Okinawa on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 930 mb.

Typhoon Khanun continued to strengthen on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Khanun’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the typhoon in all directions.

The core of Typhoon Khanun contracted on Monday as Khanun intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.7. Khanun is capable of causing regional severe damage. Typhoon Khanun was almost as strong as Hurricane Ida was when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021. Khanun was larger than Ida was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Khanun could intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could develop. The formation of concentric eyewalls would cause Khanun to weaken.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Khanun will be just south of Okinawa in 12 hours. Khanun will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa and the other southern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Khanun will also cause a significant storms surge in the parts of islands where the winds blow water toward the coast.

Typhoon Khanun Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Khanun rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane southeast of Okinawa on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 133.7°E which put it about 405 miles (655 km) southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 948 mb.

Typhoon Khanun rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Khanun’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the typhoon in all directions. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 26.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.2. Typhoon Khanun was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Jeanne when Jeanne hit Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Khanun is very likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Khanun could intensify rapidly at times.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. The center of Khanun could be just south of Okinawa in 36 hours.

Khanun Strengthens to a Typhoon South-Southeast of Okinawa

Former Tropical Storm Khanun strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Okinawa on Sunday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 132.5°E which put it about 575 miles (925 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Khanun continued to steadily strengthen during Saturday night and Khanun reached typhoon intensity on Sunday. A circular eye developed at the center of Khanun’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 Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The large circulation around Typhoon Khanun became much more symmetrical during the past 24 hours. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Khanun 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 Khanun will intensify during the next 36 hours. Khanun could intensify rapidly at times. Typhoon Khanun could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in 36 hours. Khanun could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Okinawa.

Tropical Storm Khanun Intensifies

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Okinawa on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 680 miles (1100 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified steadily on Saturday, but there still were few thunderstorms near the center of Khanun. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Khanun’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Khanun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the inner ends of rainbands in the southern and eastern parts of Khanun generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Khanun.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun 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. Tropical Storm Khanun is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Khanun is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in less than 48 hours. Khanun is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches Okinawa.

Tropical Storm Khanun Spins East of the Philippines

Tropical Khanun was spinning east of the Philippines on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 134.4°E which put it about 870 miles (1405 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun 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 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun gradually became more organized as it spun east of the Philippines on Friday. The distribution of thunderstorms in Khanun’s circulation was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Khanun. The strongest winds were occurring in those rainbands. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the southern side of Khanun. Bands in the northern half of Khanun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The winds in the northern side of Tropical Storm Khanun were blowing at less than tropical storm force. Storms near the center of Khanun’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level ridge over eastern China. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Khanun’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Khanun is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in less than 72 hours.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Doksuri weakened as it moved farther inland over eastern China. Doksuri was still dropping heavy rain over parts of eastern China. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Doksuri was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 117.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of Jingdezhen, China. Doksuri was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 996 mb.

Guchol Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Guchol weakened to a tropical storm over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Guchol was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 136.0°E which put it about 650 miles (1050 km) south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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.

Former Typhoon Guchol weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday when it moved into a less favorable environment. An upper level trough west of Japan produced westerly winds that blew toward the top of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear caused Guchol to weaken. There was no longer an eye at the center of Guchol’s circulation. Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Guchol. Bands in the western and southern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Guchol generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Guchol will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. The upper level trough west of Japan will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Guchol will continue to weaken as it moves over cooler water and is affected by moderate vertical wind shear. Guchol could make a transition to an extratropical cyclone early next week.

The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Guchol toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Guchol will pass south of Tokyo in less than 24 hours.

Typhoon Guchol Turns Northeast

Typhoon Guchol turned toward the northeast on Saturday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Guchol was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 131.3°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) south of Minamidiatojima, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Typhoon Guchol started to turn toward the northeast on Saturday, as it was affected by an upper level trough west of Japan. The upper level trough was producing westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds were causing the vertical wind shear to increase and the increasing shear was affecting the structure of Typhoon Guchol. There was still an eye at the center of Guchol’s circulation, but thunderstorms were only occurring in the eastern part of the eyewall. Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the eastern half of the typhoon. Bands in the western half of Typhoon Guchol consisted primarily of showers and low clouds. Storms in the eastern side of Guchol generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Guchol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Guchol will move through an environment that will become even less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. The upper level trough west of Japan will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase even more. The increase in wind shear will make the environment even less favorable for intensification. Typhoon Guchol will weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Typhoon Guchol toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Guchol could pass between Minamidaitojima and Iwo To during the next 24 hours. Guchol will pass south of Tokyo in less than 48 hours.

Typhoon Guchol Moves North

Typhoon Guchol moved toward the north over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Guchol was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 130.0°E which put it about 465 miles (750 km) south of Minamidiatojima, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Guchol was showing evidence of weakening on Friday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) was at the center of Guchol’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. There was a break in the northwestern part of the ring of storms. Other thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern sides of Typhoon Guchol. Bands in the northern and western parts of Guchol’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Guchol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Guchol will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. Typhoon Guchol will move closer to an upper level trough west of Japan. The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the northern part of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. The increase in wind shear will make the environment less favorable for intensification. Typhoon Guchol could weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Guchol will move around the western part of high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Guchol toward the north during the next 24 hours. The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Guchol toward the northeast during the weekend. On its anticipated track Typhoon Guchol could pass between Minamidaitojima and Iwo To during fthe weekend.

Guchol Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Guchol strengthened to a typhoon on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Guchol was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 670 miles (1080 km) south of Minamidiatojima, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 982 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Guchol strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas on Wednesday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Guchol. A circular eye was visible on satellite images at the center of Guchol’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core or Typhoon Guchol. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Guchol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Guchol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Guchol is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Guchol will move around the western part of high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Guchol toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. Guchol will move toward the northeast later this week after it passes the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Typhoon Guchol could be between Minamidaitojima and Iwo To in four days.

Tropical Storm Guchol Intensifies

Tropical Storm Guchol intensified over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Guchol was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 715 miles (1155 km) south of Minamidiatojima, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Guchol intensified over the warm water in the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas on Wednesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Guchol’s circulation and an eye appeared to be forming at the center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Guchol. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Guchol.

Tropical Storm Guchol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Guchol will intensify during the next 36 hours. Guchol could strengthen to a typhoon within 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Guchol will move around the western part of high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Guchol toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Guchol will move farther away from the Marianas. Guchol could be south of Minamidaitojima in four days.