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Powerful Typhoon Yutu Threatens Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Yutu continued to pose a threat to northern Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 129.6°E which put it about 475 miles (765 km) east of Cape Engano, Philippines.  Yutu was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.

There were minor fluctuations in its intensity on Saturday, but Typhoon Yutu remains a very powerful tropical cyclone.  A circular eye is 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 Yutu.  Storms around the core are generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Typhoon Yutu has a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 250 miles (400 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 28.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 59.9.  Typhoon Yutu is capable of causing wide spread significant damage.

Typhoon Yutu will continue to move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu in a generally westerly direction for another 36 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will reach northern Luzon in about 36 to 42 hours.  Yutu will create a storm surge at the coast.  It will cause significant wind damage over northern Luzon.  Yutu will also drop locally heavy rain and cause flash floods over parts of northern Luzon.

Powerful Typhoon Yutu Churns Toward Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Yutu churned toward northern Luzon on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 135.9°E which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) east of Cape Engano, Philippines.  Yutu was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 920 mb.

After completing an eyewall replacement cycle Typhoon Yutu strengthened again on Friday.  Yutu is once again the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  The eyewall replacement cycle also caused an increase in the size of Typhoon Yutu’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 260 miles (420 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 28.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 63.9.

Typhoon Yutu has a large, very well organized circulation and it will remain in an environment capable of supporting a powerful typhoon for several more days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Yutu could strengthen a little more during the next 12 to 24 hours.  At some point another rainband is likely to wrap around the existing eye and eyewall, and another eyewall replacement cycle could occur.  If there is another eyewall replacement cycle, then Yutu would weaken, at least temporarily.

Typhoon Yutu will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu in a generally westward direction.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu could reach northern Luzon in about four days.  Yutu is very likely to be a strong typhoon when it approaches Luzon.

Dangerous Typhoon Yutu Slams Tinian and Saipan

Dangerous Typhoon Yutu slammed Tinian and Saipan on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 144.8°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) west-northwest of Saipan.  Yutu was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 205 m.p.h. (330 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 908 mb.

Typhoon Warnings were in effect for Rota, Tinian and Saipan.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

The eye of Typhoon Yutu passed directly over Tinian on Wednesday and the northern side of the eyewall moved over Saipan.  So, they would have experienced the strongest parts of Typhoon Yutu.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu is 40.4.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 26.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 67.1.  Typhoon Yutu was capable of causing widespread catastrophic damage when it passed over Tinian and Saipan.

Yutu is still a very powerful typhoon, but an eyewall replacement cycle appears to have started.  A rainband has wrapped around the original eye and eyewall.  The inner eye and eyewall are still intact and the strongest winds are occurring in the ring of thunderstorms that surround the original eye.  The imminent formation of a second, outer eyewall increased the size of the circulation around Typhoon Yutu.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 240 miles (390 km) from the center.

Typhoon Yutu will remain in an environment capable of supporting a very strong typhoon for several more days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The incipient eyewall replacement cycle will cause Typhoon Yutu to weaken when the inner eyewall dissipates.  However, Yutu could strengthen again, if it remains in a favorable environment and the outer eyewall contracts closer to the center of circulation.  Typhoon Yutu is likely to remain a powerful typhoon during the next 48 hours.

Typhoon Yutu will move southwest of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will move away from the Northern Marianas, and conditions should gradually improve there.  Yutu could be south of Okinawa in four or five days.

Typhoon Yutu Intensifies Rapidly to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane, Imminent Threat to Marianas

Typhoon Yutu intensified rapidly on Tuesday into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale and Yutu posed an imminent threat to the Marianas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 147.5°E which put it about 155 miles (255 km) east-southeast of Rota.  Yutu was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 935 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Rota, Saipan and Tinian.  Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

Typhoon Yutu intensified rapidly during the past 24 hours.  A circular eye developed at the center of Yutu.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Yutu.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Typhoon Yutu has a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 210 miles (335 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size index (HWISI) is 52.4.  Typhoon Yutu is capable of causing widespread extensive damage.

Typhoon Yutu will move through an environment favorable for further intensification during the next several days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Yutu could intensify into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  At some point a rainband will wrap around the existing eye and eyewall, and an eyewall replacement cycle will occur.  Yutu will weaken during the eyewall replacement cycle, but the typhoon could strengthen afterwards if it remains in an environment favorable for intensification.

Typhoon Yutu will move around the southwestern portion of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu in a general west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will reach the Northern Marianas in about 12 hours.  The core of Yutu will pass between Rota and Tinian.  Rota, Tinian and Saipan are likly to have winds to typhoon force.  Typhoon Yutu will be capable of causing extensive damage in those locations.  Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan are likely to receive winds to tropical storm force.  Wind speeds will be stronger on the northern part of Guam and the damage potential is greater there than it is for the southern part of Guam.

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.