Tag Archives: Philippines

Possible Tropical Development East of Philippines

A tropical cyclone could develop east of the Philippines during the next day or two.  A low pressure system east of Mindanao is currently designated as Invest 95W.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Invest 95W was located at latitude 7.2°N and longitude 131.5°E which put it about 335 miles (540 km) east of Mindanao.  It was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The area of low pressure currently designated at Invest 95W exhibited great organization on Saturday night.  Microwave satellite imagery revealed a distinct low level circulation.  Many thunderstorms were developing in a band on the southern and eastern side of the circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  More thunderstorms began to form near the center of circulation on Saturday night.

Invest 95W will move through an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next several days.  The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move in a region south of an upper level trough northeast of the Philippines, and west of an upper level ridge centered south of Guam.  The trough and ridge will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will probably not be strong enough to prevent the formation of a tropical cyclone.  Invest 95W could develop into a tropical depression during the next 24 hours.

Invest 95W will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer the low pressure system toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Invest 95W will move slowly toward the northern Philippines.

Typhoon Phanfone Moves Away from the Philippines

Typhoon Phanfone moved away from the Philippines on Wednesday after bringing wind and rain to the central Philippines.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Phanfone was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 118.3°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) west-southwest of Manila, Philippines.  Phanfone was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 975 mb.

Typhoon Phanfone weakened earlier on Wednesday.  The core of Phanfone moved over southern Mindoro and the typhoon weakened when the circulation was disrupted by the mountains.  Satellite imagery suggested that the circulation around Typhoon Phanfone might be reorganizing on Wednesday night.  A small circular eye reappeared on visible satellite images.  Thunderstorms in the eyewall were growing taller.  Storms around the core of Phanfone were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) north of the center of circulation and out 20 miles (30 km) south of the center.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Phanfone.

Typhoon Phanfone will move through an environment capable of supporting a typhoon for another 24 hours.  Phanfone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  In about 24 hours Typhoon Phanfone will reach an area where winds near the surface are blowing from the northeast.  Those winds will bring drier air which will get pulled into the circulation around Phanfone.  Typhoon Phanfone will weaken when the drier air enters its circulation.

Typhoon Phanfone will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Phanfone will move across the South China Sea and it will move farther away from the Philippines.

Typhoon Phanfone Hits Panay Island

Typhoon Phanfone hit Panay Island on Tuesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Phanfone was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 121.8°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of San Jose, Philippines.  Phanfone was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 963 mb.

The eye of Typhoon Phanfone passed over the northern coast of Panay Island on Tuesday.  The southern part of the eyewall affected Roxas City, Kalibo and Ibajay.  Strong winds and heavy rain moved over the northern coast of Panay.  The northern eyewall was over Tablas Island and the northwestern part of the eyewall reached southeastern Mindoro.  Gusty winds may reach Roxas and San Jose on Mindoro.  Heavy rain was falling over over Tablas Island and southeastern Mindoro.

Typhoon Phanfone strengthened slightly even though parts of the eyewall moved over some of the islands in the central Philippines.  The core of Phanfone remained intact and there was a small circular eye at the center of the typhoon.  The strongest winds were occurring in a ring of thunderstorms around the eye.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km).  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Phanfone was 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.5.

Typhoon Phanfone will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Phanfone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Phanfone could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane if the core of the circulation passes south of Mindoro.

Typhoon Phanfone will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Island.  The high will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Phanfone will pass near the southern end of Mindoro during the next few hours.  The center will pass near Busuanga Island and Culion Island before Phanfone moves over the South China Sea.  Typhoon Phanfone will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Roxas, San Jose and Coron.  Heavy rain on Tablas Island, southern Mindoro, Busuanga Island and Culion Island could cause flash floods.  Floods are most likely on southern Mindoro because of the steep slopes near mountains.  Conditions will improve over Panay Island as Phanfone moves farther away.

Strengthening Typhoon Phanfone Makes Landfall in Central Philippines

A strengthening Typhoon Phanfone made landfall in the central Philippines on Tuesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Phanfone was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 124.1°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Placer, Philippines.  Phanfone was moving toward the west-northwest at 19 m.p.h. (31 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 966 mb.

Typhoon Phanfone strengthened quickly as it made landfall in the central Philippines.  A small circular eye became more distinct on  satellite imagery.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center.  The Hurricane intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Phanfone was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.8 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.6.

The center of Typhoon Phanfone made landfall near Guiuan on Samar.  The center of Phanfone passed near Tacloban on Leyte before it moved over the Visayan Sea.  Typhoon Phanfone brought strong winds and heavy rain to Samar and Leyte.  The winds were strong enough to cause serious damage and regional power outages.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Phanfone moved through a favorable environment that allowed to strengthen.  Phanfone moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 29°C.  It moved through a region where the upper level winds were weak and there was little vertical wind shear.  The core of Phanfone moved quickly over narrow portions of Samar and Leyte and the core remained intact.  Typhoon Phanfone could strengthen while the enter moves across the Visayan Sea and it could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Phanfone will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days.  The ridge will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Phanfone will pass near Masbate and the northern end of Panay Island.  Phanfone could be near Mindoro in about 12 hours.  Typhoon Phanfone will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Masbate, the northern end of Panay Island, the northern end of Negros and Mindoro.  Conditions will improve gradually when Phanfone moves away from Samar and Leyte.

Phanfone Strengthens to a Typhoon, Closing in on Central Philippines

Former Tropical Storm Phanfone strengthened to a typhoon as it closed in on the central Philippines on Monday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Phanfone was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 126.9°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east of Guiuan, Philippines.  Phanfone was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 981 mb.

Typhoon Phanfone strengthened on Monday.  The circulation became more symmetrical and an eye began to form at the center of Phanfone.  A ring of strong 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 Phanfone.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  The circulation around Typhoon Phanfone was relatively small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Typhoon Phanfone will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Phanfone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and the will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Phanfone will continue to intensify until it makes landfall in the central Philippines.  Phanfone will begin to weaken when the center moves over land.  It could regain some strength while the center passes over the Visayan Sea.

Typhoon Phanfone will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On it anticipated track the center of Typhoon Phanfone will pass over southern Samar near Guiuan in a few hours.  The core of Phanfone will also pass near Tacloban and northern Leyte.  Typhoon Phanfone will move over the Visayan Sea before moving near Roxas City and northern Panay Island.

Typhoon Phanfone will bring strong winds to southern Samar, Leyte and northern Panay Island.  Phanfone will drop locally heavy rain and flash floods could occur in some locations.  Typhoon Phanfone could produce a storm surge of six feet (two meters) along portions of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Tropical Storm Phanfone Churns Toward the Philippines

Tropical Storm Phanfone churned toward the Philippines on Sunday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Phanfone was located at latitude 9.7°N and longitude 133.5°E which put it about 525 miles (850 km) east-southeast of Guiuan, Philippines.  Phafone was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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.

Tropical Storm Phanfone exhibited greater organization on Sunday night.  More thunderstorms developed around the center of circulation.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands northwest of the center.  Bands in other parts of the circulation had fewer storms and consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms near the center were generating upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the northern half of Phanfone and out 40 miles (65 km) on the southern side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Phanfone will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Phanfone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southeasterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear diminished during recent hours.  The shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be strong enough to keep Phanfone from intensifying.  Tropical Storm Phanfone will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Phanfone will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Phanfone could reach the central Philippines within 36 hours.  Phanfone could be a typhoon by the time it approaches Samar.

Tropical Storm Phanfone Forms East of Palau

Tropical Storm Phanfone formed east of Palau on Saturday night.  At 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Phanfone was located at latitude 8.2°N and longitude 138.3°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) east of Koror, Palau.  Phanfone was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1000 mb.

The center of circulation in an area of low pressure east of Palau became more well defined on Saturday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Phanfone.  The circulation around Phanfone was still organizing and the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northwestern part of the tropical storm.  Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Phanfone consisted of showers and lower clouds.  Storms in the northwestern part of Phanfone began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northwest of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Phanfone will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few days.  Phanfone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southeasterly winds which will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Those upper level winds are contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms and the wind shear will inhibit intensification.  However, the wind shear could diminish during the next day or two.  Tropical Storm Phanfone will gradually intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Phanfone will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Phanfone will pass north of Palau on Sunday.  It could approach the center Philippines within 60 hours.  Phanfone could be a typhoon when it gets to the Philippines.

Typhoon Kammuri Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Luzon

Typhoon Kammuri brought wind and rain to southern Luzon and Mindoro on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 114.9°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) south-southwest of Manila, Philippines.  Kammuri was moving toward the west 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 976 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri made landfall on the coast of southeastern Luzon near Sorsogon and Legaspi on Nonday.  After making landfall, the eye of Kammuri passed over San Pascual on the northern end of Burias Island.  The center of Kammuri moved across the Sibuyan Sea and the core of the typhoon passed over Marinduque Island and northern Mindoro.  Rainbands in the northern half of Typhoon Kammuri produced strong winds and dropped heavy rain over southern Luzon.  There were reports of widespread power outages.  There were also reports of several deaths associated with the passage of Kammuri.

Typhoon Kammuri weakened slowly as the circulation passed over land.  Increased friction caused the wind speed to gradually decrease and mountains disrupted portions of the circulation.  The eastern side of the eyewall weakened and the eye was no longer apparent on infrared satellite images.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands west and north of the center of circulation.  Bands southeast of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center.

Conditions will improve over southern Luzon and Mindoro as Typhoon Kammuri moves farther away.  Kammuri could maintain its intensity over even strengthen slightly during the next 24 hours as it moves over the warm water in the South China Sea.  Typhoon Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Kammuri will reach the eastern end of a surface high pressure system over eastern Asia in about 24 hours.  Strong northeasterly winds will blow around the eastern end of the high and those winds will create strong vertical wind shear as they blow under southwesterly winds in the upper levels.  The strong wind shear is likely to cause Typhoon Kammuri to weaken quickly in about a day or so.

A ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean will steer Typhoon Kammuri toward the west for about another 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Kammuri will move farther away from the Philippines.  When Typhoon Kammuri reaches the area of more vertical wind shear and the typhoon weakens, it will be steered by winds closer to the surface.  The strong northeasterly winds in that part of the atmosphere will steer Kammuri toward the south-southwest later this week.

Major Typhoon Kammuri Makes Landfall on Southeastern Luzon

Major Typhoon Kammuri made landfall on southeastern Luzon near Sorsogon and Legaspi on Monday.  At noon EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 123.6°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) west of Legaspi, Philippines and about 230 miles (370 km) east-southeast of Manila.  Kamuri was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 950 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the 12 hours prior to landfall on Monday.  A large eye with a diameter to 50 miles (80 km) developed at the center of Kammuri.  A thick ring of strong 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 the typhoon.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease more quickly.

Typhoon Kammuri also grew larger as it got stronger.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) in most portions of Kammuri, but those strong winds extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northwestern part of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in most parts of the circulation, but they extended out 300 miles (480 km) to the northwest of the center of Kammuri.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kammuri was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.5.  Typhoon Kammuri was capable of causing widespread major damage to southern Luzon.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Kammuri toward the west-northwest during the next 36 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kammuri will move across southeastern Luzon and over the Sibuyan Sea during the next few hours.  The center of Kammuri is forecast to pass south of Manila in 18 to 24 hours.

Typhoon Kammuri will weaken slowly as it moves across southeastern Luzon.  Kammuri will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern Luzon.  Typhoon Kammuri will also have a big impact on Burias, Marinduque Island and Mindoro.  Kammuri could produce winds to near typhoon force around Manila.  Typhoon Kammuri is likely to cause major damage around Legaspi.  Locally heavy rain could produce flash floods in numerous locations.  Kammuri could cause serious damage around Manila.

Typhoon Kammuri Strengthens As It Nears Southeast Luzon

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened as it neared southeast Luzon on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 126.0°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) east- southeast of Manila, Philippines and about 160 miles (260 km) east of Legaspi.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 959 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened on Sunday.  An ellipitical eye with a mean radius of 30 miles (50 km) cleared out at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong 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 Kammuri.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

The wind field around Typhoon Kammuri became more symmetrical on Sunday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.1.  Typhoon Kammuri was capable of causing serious damage.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Kammuri could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane before it reaches southeastern Luzon.  Kammuri will start to weaken after the center moves over land.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Kammuri will pass between Samar and Catanduanes Island before making landfall near Sorsogon on southeast Luzon.  The center of Kammuri will pass near Legaspi, Tabaco and Ligao.

Typhoon Kammuri will be capable of causing major damage in the Philippines.  Kammuri will bring strong winds to southeast Luzon.  Typhoon Kammuri could also produce winds to near typhoon force in Virac on Catanduanes Island.  Kammuri could produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) in locations where the wind blows water toward the coast.  Typhoon Kammuri will drop locally heavy rain over southern Luzon.  Flash floods could occur, especially in areas of steeper slopes.