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Typhoon Usagi Hits Northern Luzon

Typhoon Usagi hit northern Luzon on Wednesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Usagi was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 122.7°E which put the center about 1205 miles (195 km) southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Usagi 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 915 mb.

Typhoon Usagi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of Luzon on Wednesday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 5 miles (8 km) was at the center of Usagi’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 revolved around the core of Typhoon Usagi.  Storms near the core of Usagi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall at the center of Usagi’s circulation during Wednesday evening and concentric eyewalls could be forming.

The circulation around Typhoon Usagi was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Usagi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Typhoon Usagi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Usagi was 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.0 . Typhoon Usagi was similar in size to Hurricane Ida when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021.  Usagi was not as big as Ida was.

Typhoon Usagi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Usagi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Usagi will move across northeast Luzon during the next few hours.

Typhoon Usagi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides in some locations.  Usagi could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet ( 4 meters) on the coast of northeastern Luzon.  The area likely to be hit by Usagi was just hit by Typhoon Toraji a few days ago.  Typhoon Usagi will complicate recovery efforts in Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Toraji weakened to a tropical depression south of Hong Kong, and Tropical Storm Man-yi was moved north of Yap.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Toraji was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 113.9°E which put the center about 90 miles (145 km) south of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1005 mb.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 137.0°E which put the center about 120 miles (195 km) north of Yap. Man-yi was moving toward the west-southwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Usagi Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Usagi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Wednesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Usagi was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 124.8°E which put the center about 485 miles (780 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Usagi was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 949 mb.

Typhoon Usagi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of Luzon on Wednesday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 5 miles (8 km) formed at the center of Usagi’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 revolved around the core of Typhoon Usagi.  Storms near the core of Usagi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Usagi was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Usagi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Typhoon Usagi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Usagi was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.5.  Typhoon Usagi was similar in size to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Usagi was not as big as Harvey was.

Typhoon Usagi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Usagi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Usagi could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.  However, since the core of Usagi’s circulation is so small, the inner end of a rainband could wrap around the core.  If concentric eyewalls form, an eyewall replacement cycle would halt the intensification of Typhoon Usagi.

Typhoon Usagi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Usagi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Usagi will move near northeast Luzon in 18 hours.

Typhoon Usagi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides in some locations.  Usagi could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet ( 4 meters) on the coast of northeastern Luzon.  The area likely to be hit by Usagi was just hit by Typhoon Toraji a few days ago.  Typhoon Usagi will complicate recovery efforts in Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Toraji was approaching the coast of China east of Hong Kong, and Tropical Storm Man-yi was moving away from the Marianas.

At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 21.9°N and longitude 114.9°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the north 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 995 mb.

At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 140.4°E which put the center about 280 miles (450 km) west-southwest of Guam.  Man-yi was moving toward the west-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

Typhoon Toraji Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Typhoon Toraji brought wind and rain to Luzon on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Toraji was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 121.8°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) east of Echague, Philippines.  Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

The center of Typhoon Toraji made landfall on the coast of Luzon east of Echague on Sunday night.  Toraji was a relatively small typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles from the center of Typhoon Toraji.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Toraji was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.7. and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 21.6. Typhoon Toraji was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Isaias when Isaias hit North Carolina in 2020.

Typhoon Toraji will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Toraji toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the Typhoon Toraji will move across northern Luzon during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Toraji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods and mudslides.  Toraji will also cause a storm surge of up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) along the coast of northeastern Luzon.  Northern Luzon is trying to recover from the damage caused by two recent typhoons.  Typhoon Toraji will seriously disrupt those recovery activities.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Yinxing continued to weaken over the South China Sea, Tropical Storm Man-yi continued to move toward the Marianas, and a new tropical depression formed west of Guam.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yinxing was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 111.3°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 993 mb.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 152.2°E which put the center about 460 miles (740 km) east of Saipan.  Man-yi was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Twentyseven-W was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 138.5°E which put the center about 370 miles (595 km) west of Guam.  The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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. (60 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Toraji Rapidly Intensifies to a Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Toraji rapidly intensified to a typhoon east of Luzon on Sunday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Toraji was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 122.7°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east-southeast of Echague, Philippines. Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

Former Tropical Storm Toraji rapidly intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Toraji’s circulation.  An eye formed at the center of Typhoon Toraji.  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 revolved around the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Toraji generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Toraji was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Typhoon Toraji.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Toraji was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.7. and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 21.6.  Typhoon Toraji was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Isaias when Isaias hit North Carolina in 2020.

Typhoon Toraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Toraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Toraji will continue to intensify during the next few hours.

Typhoon Toraji will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Toraji toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center Typhoon Toraji will reach Luzon in a few hours.

Typhoon Toraji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods and mudslides.  Toraji will also cause a storm surge of up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) along the coast of northeastern Luzon.  Northern Luzon is trying to recover from the damage caused by two recent typhoons.  Typhoon Toraji will seriously disrupt those recovery activities.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Typhoon Yinxing weakened rapidly over the South China Sea and Tropical Storm Man-yi moved closer to the Marianas.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yinxing was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 111.7°E which put the center about 290 miles (465 km) east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 988 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 153.4°E which put the center about 540 miles (870 km) east of Saipan.  Man-yi was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 999 mb.

Hurricane Rafael Weakens Over Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Rafael weakened over the central Gulf of Mexico on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Hurricane Rafael was located at latitude 24.6°N and longitude 89.7°W which put the center about 230 miles (365 km) north of Progreso, Mexico.  Rafael was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Hurricane Rafael started to weaken over the central Gulf of Mexico on Friday afternoon.  An upper level low over the central U.S. was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Rafael’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  Drier air was being pulled into the western side of Hurricane Rafael.  The combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air caused Hurricane Rafael to start to weaken.

The moderate vertical wind shear was also affecting the structure of Hurricane Rafael.  An eye was no longer visible at the center of Rafael’s circulation.  The western part of the former eyewall weakened and that part of the eyewall consisted of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in the eastern part of the former eyewall.  Thunderstorms were also still occurring in bands in the eastern side of Hurricane Rafael.  Storms near the center of Rafael generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Rafael was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Rafael’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Rafael.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Rafael was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.0.  Hurricane Rafael was similar in intensity to Hurricane Idalia when Idalia hit Florida in 2023.  Rafael was bigger than Idalia was.

Rafael will move into an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rafael will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However the upper level low over the central U.S. will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  More drier air will also get pulled into the western side of Rafael’s circulation.  The combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Hurricane Rafael to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The winds steering Hurricane Rafael will weaken during the next 24 hours.  As a result, on its anticipated track, Hurricane Rafael will meander over the central Gulf of Mexico during the weekend.

Typhoon Yinxing Spins Over the South China Sea

Typhoon Yinxing was spinning over the South China Sea on Friday afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Yinxing was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 115.4°E which put the center about 275 miles (445 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Yinxing was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Typhoon Yinxing was the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday afternoon as it spun over the South China Sea.  A circular eye with a diameter of 22 miles (35 km) was that the center of Typhoon Yinxing.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Yinxing’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Yinxing generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Yinxing was a little smaller on Friday afternoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Yinxing’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Typhoon Yinxing.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yinxing was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.7.  Typhoon Yinxing was similar in intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit Louisiana in 2020.  Yinxing is bigger than Delta was.

Typhoon Yinxing will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Yinxing will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, a high pressure system over China will circulate drier air toward the northwestern part of Typhoon Yinxing.  The drier air will begin to be pulled into the northwestern part of Yinxing’s circulation.  The drier air will cause the thunderstorms in the part of Typhoon Yinxing.  The drier air is likely to cause Typhoon Yinxing to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Yinxing will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Yinxing toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Yinxing will move pass south of Hong Kong during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Rafael Moves Over Southeastern Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Rafael moved over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Hurricane Rafael was located at latitude 24.7°N and longitude 86.2°W which put the center about 325 miles (520 km) northeast of Progreso, Mexico.  Rafael was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Hurricane Rafael weakened a little on Wednesday night as it moved across western Cuba.  Rafael strengthened again on Thursday when it moved over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Rafael’s circulation and an eye formed again at the center of Hurricane Rafael.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Rafael’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Rafael generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane. The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Rafael was small.  Wind to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Rafael’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Rafael.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Rafael was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.8.  Hurricane Rafael was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Rafael will move into an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rafael will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern periphery of a large upper level trough that extends from the North Central U.S. to the Southwest U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Rafael’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Hurricane Rafael could intensify during the next 24 hours.  The wind shear is likely to increase during the weekend and Rafael is likely to weaken when the shear increases.

Hurricane Rafael will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the western Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Rafael toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Rafael will move toward the central Gulf of Mexico.

Powerful Typhoon Yinxing Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Power Typhoon Yinxing was bringing wind and rain to northern Luzon on Thursday.  At 7:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Yinxing was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 122.0°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Yinxing was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 937 mb.

The eye of powerful Typhoon Yinxing was just north of the coast of northern Luzon on Thursday morning.  The eye had a diameter of  23 miles (37 km).  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Yinxing.  Storms near the core of Yinxing generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass in the upper level slightly exceed the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere, which caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Yinxing was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Yinxing’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Typhoon Yinxing.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yinxing was 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 49.6.  Typhoon Yinxing was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Laura when Laura hit southwest Louisiana in 2020.

Typhoon Yinxing will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Yinxing will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Typhoon Yinxing will move through an environment favorable for intensification, much of the southern half of Yingxing’s circulation, including the southern side of the eyewall, will move across northern Luzon.  Since almost half of Yinxing’s circulation will move over land Typhoon Yinxing will weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Yinxing will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean . The high pressure system will steer Yinxing toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Yinxing will move near the north coast of Luzon during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Yinxing will continue to bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods and mudslides.  Yinxing will cause widespread power outages.  Typhoon Yinxing could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of northern Luzon.  Yinxing will be capable of causing regional severe damage.

Hurricane Rafael Hits Western Cuba

Hurricane Rafael hit western Cuba late on Wednesday afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Rafael was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 82.7°W which put the center about 45 miles (75 km) south-southwest of Havana, Cuba.   Rafael was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

A  Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, and Cienfuegos.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida Keys from Key West to Channel 5 Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Dry Tortugas. 

Hurricane Rafael intensified to a major hurricane on Wednesday before it hit western Cuba.  Concentric eyewalls formed in the core of Rafael’s circulation.  An eyewall replacement cycle started, but the inner eyewall was still intact when Hurricane Rafael hit western Cuba.  Since the inner eyewall was still intact, Rafael did not weaken before it hit Cuba.

Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls.  Storms near the core of Rafael generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Rafael was small.  Wind to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Rafael’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Hurricane Rafael.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western side of Rafael.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Rafael was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.4.  Hurricane Rafael was similar in intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit Louisiana in 2020.  Rafael was not as big as Delta was.

Hurricane Rafael will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Rafael toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Rafael will move across western Cuba during the next few few hours.  Rafael will move over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.

Hurricane Rafael will bring strong winds and heavy rain to western Cuba.  Strong winds could cause widespread electricity outages in Cuba.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Rafael could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the south coast of western Cuba.  Hurricane Rafael will be capable of causing localized major damage.

Hurricane Rafael will weaken as it moves across western Cuba.  Rafael will move into an environment somewhat favorable for intensification after it moves north of Cuba.  Rafael will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern periphery of a large upper level trough that extends from the North Central U.S. to the Southwest U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Rafael’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Hurricane Rafael will could intensify on Thursday after it moves north of Cuba.

Hurricane Rafael Approaches Western Cuba

Hurricane Rafael was approaching western Cuba on Wednesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Rafael was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 81.9°W which put the center about 130 miles (210 km) south-southeast of Havana, Cuba.  Rafael was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 960 mb.

A  Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritis, and Ciego de Avila.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida Keys from Key West to Channel 5 Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Dry Tortugas. 

Hurricane Rafael began to intensify more rapidly on Wednesday morning.  Two concentric eyewalls formed at the center of Rafael’s circulation.  A small inner eye was at the center of Hurricane Rafael.  The inner eye was surrounded by a tight ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the inner eye and eyewall and a larger, outer eyewall formed.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls.  Storms near the core of Rafael generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Rafael was small.  Wind to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Rafael’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Hurricane Rafael.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western side of Rafael.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Rafael was 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 26.0.  Hurricane Rafael was similar in intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.  Rafael was not as big as Zeta was.

Hurricane Rafael will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Rafael will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Rafael will intensify during the next few hours.  Rafael is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane.

Hurricane Rafael will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Rafael toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Rafael will reach western Cuba in a few hours.

Hurricane Rafael will bring strong winds and heavy rain to western Cuba.  Strong winds could cause widespread electricity outages in Cuba.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Rafael could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the south coast of western Cuba.  Hurricane Rafael will be capable of causing localized major damage.