Tag Archives: Taiwan

Tropical Storm Nesat Forms Southeast of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Newsat formed southeast of Taiwan on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Nesat was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 127.5°E which put it about 620 miles (1000 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Nesat was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.

A well organized surface circulation formed in an area of thunderstorms southeast of Taiwan on Wednesday.  A strong cluster of thunderstorms formed south of the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms developed in the western and southern portions of Tropical Storm Nesat.  There were few thunderstorms in the eastern half of the circulation.  More thunderstorms appeared to be forming near the core of the circulation in recent hours.  The thunderstorms in the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping out mass.

Tropical Storm Nesat will be moving through an area that is favorable for intensification.  Nesat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  Tropical Storm Nesat is beneath the northeastern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge is producing northeasterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing some vertical wind shear and the shear could be the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Tropical Storm Nesat could move under the axis of the upper level ridge where the winds are weaker.  In that case the shear would be less and Nesat could intensify more quickly.  Tropical Storm Nesat is likely to intensify into a typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Nesat is moving around a weak area in a subtropical ridge, which is allowing the tropical storm to move toward the north.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen and when that happens it will steer Nesat more toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nesat could approach Taiwan in about three days.  Nesat could be a strong typhoon when it nears Taiwan.

Elsewhere in the Western North Pacific Typhoon Noru has turned back toward the west.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 151.2°E which put it about 770 miles (1240 km) east-northeast of Iwo To.  Noru was moving toward the west at 19 m.p.h. (31 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. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

A subtropical ridge north of Typhoon Noru is steering the typhoon toward the west.  A general westerly motion is forecast to continue for several more days.  Noru could reach an area of weaker steering winds in a few days and its motion may slow.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Noru could approach Iwo To in three or four days.

Tropical Storm Roke Close to Landfall Near Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Roke is close to making a landfall near Hong Kong.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Roke was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 114.1°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) east of Hong Kong.  Roke 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 sutface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Roke will make landfall on the coast of China near Hong Kong during the next few hours.  Roke will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall as it move inland over eastern China.  Flash flooding could occur in places that receive heavy rain.

Elsewhere, there are three more tropical storms over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  Tropical Storm 08W is the only other imminent threat to land.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm 08W was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) southeast of Hainan Island.  It was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 999 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Noru was located at latitude 28.3°N and longitude 151.3°E which put it about 920 miles (1485 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Noru was moving toward west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 997 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Kulap was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 166.8°E which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) north of Wake Island.  Kulap was moving toward the west-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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol Nearing Kyushu

Tropical Storm Nanmadol was quickly nearing Kyushu on Monday.  At 1:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nanmadol was located at latitude 31.0°N and longitude 127.4°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) southwest of Sasebo, Japan.  Nanmadol was moving toward the north-northeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 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 986 mb.

The structure of Tropical Storm Nanmadol was still consistent with its designation of a tropical cyclone, but there were signs that it could be about to start the transition to an extratropical cyclone.  There was a core of thunderstorms around the center of circulation.  The strongest winds were occurring in the inner core which extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center.  Several rainbands were on the eastern side of the circulation.  There were far fewer showers and thunderstorms in the western half of the circulation.  There were some indications that Nanmadol could be pulling cooler, drier, more stable air into the western side of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol has probably reached its maximum intensity and it is likely to weaken during the next two days.  Nanmadol is currently over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  However, it has reached the upper level westerly in the middle latitudes and the vertical wind shear is increasing.  Nanmadol will weaken faster when it moves across Japan.

The westerly winds in the middle latitudes have turned Tropical Storm Nanmadol toward the north-northeast.  As Nanmadol moves farther north, the speed of the westerlies will increase and the tropical storm is forecast to move quickly toward the east-northeast across southern Japan.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Nanmadol will reach Kyushu in a few hours.  Nanmadol will also move over Shikoku and Honshu.  Tropical Storm Nanmadol will bring a brief period of gusty winds and the potential for locally heavy rain when it moves across southern Japan.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Nanmadol brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Nanmadol was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 124.7°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) east of Ishigaki, Japan.  Nanmadol was moving toward the north-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

The core of Tropical Storm Nanmadol continued to organize on Sunday.  A ring of thunderstorms wrapped tightly around the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms formed outside the core.  Thunderstorms were beginning to generate more upper level divergence which was pumping out mass in all directions.  The circulation of Tropical Storm Nanmadol was fairly small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol will be in an environment that is very favorable for intensification for about another 24 hours.  Nanmadol will be moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 29°C.  The circulation of Tropical Storm Nanmadol is underneath the center of an upper level ridge and the upper level winds are very weak.  Warm SSTs and almost no vertical wind shear will permit Tropical Storm Nanmadol to intensify during the next day and there could be a period of rapid intensification.  Nanmadol could strengthen into a typhoon before it reaches a less favorable environment.  The tropical storm will move over cooler SSTs and it will move into an area of stronger upper level westerly winds in a couple of days.  Nanmadol will begin to weaken when that happens.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the north.  A general northward motion is expected to continue for about another 24 hours.  Nanmadol will reach the westerly winds in the middle latitudes in about a day and those winds will turn it toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Nanmadol will pass west of Okinawa.  Nanmadol could approach Kyushu in about 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Nanmadol will continue to cause gusty winds and locally heavy rain over the southern Ryukyu Islands for another 12 to 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol Forms Southeast of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Nanmadol formed southeast of Taiwan on Saturday.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Nanmadol was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 127.1°E which put it about 475 miles (765 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Nanmadol was moving toward the northwest at 24 m.p.h. (35 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.

A center of circulation consolidated rapidly on Saturday in an area of thunderstorms southeast of Taiwan.  A primary band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the northern and western side of the circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms developed in the northern half of the circulation.  The thunderstorms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped out mass to the north of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol will move through an area favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nanmadol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge northeast of Nanmadol is producing southeasterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the tropical storm, but there is little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Nanmadol is likely to intensify on Sunday.  When Nanmadol moves farther north, it will move over cooler water and it will be effected by the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  Cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Nanmadol to start to weaken at that time.

Tropical Storm Nanmadol is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it quickly toward the northwest.  Nanmadol will move in a general north-northwesterly direction on Sunday.  It will turn toward the northeast in 24 to 36 hours when it begins to be steered by the mid-latitude westerlies.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nanmadol could approach the southernmost Ryukyu Islands including Ishigaki Jima in about 12 hours.  The center is expected to pass west of Okinawa.  Tropical Storm Nanmadol could approach Kyushu in a couple of days.  An intensifying Tropical Storm Nanmadol will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southernmost Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Merbok Makes Landfall Near Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Merbok made landfall near Hong Kong on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 114.9°E which put it about 55 miles (85 km) north-northeast of Hong Kong.  Merbok was moving toward the north at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Merbok intensified before it made landfall and the maximum sustained wind speed was around 55 m.p.h. (85 km/h) at the time of landfall.  Merbok began to weaken after landfall and the strongest winds are now occurring in bands over the the open water.  Merbok is producing locally heavy rain in bands east of the center if circulation.  The heavy rains represent the greatest risk and flooding is possible over parts of eastern China.  Merbok is a fairly small tropical storm and the heavier rain will fall primarily to the east of the track of Merbok.  Merbok should gradually spin down as it moves farther inland.

Tropical Storm Merbok Moves Closer to China

Tropical Depression 04W intensified into Tropical Storm Merbok on Sunday as it moved closer to the coast of China.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 115.7°E which put it about 220 miles (360 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Merbok was moving toward the north-northwest 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 999 mb.

The structure of Tropical Storm Merbok is asymmetrical.  Most of the thunderstorms are occurring east and south of the center of circulation.  A primary rainband curves about halfway around the southeastern side of the center.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms exist outside the core in southeastern half of Merbok.  There are bands in the northwestern half of the circulation but they consists primarily of low clouds and showers.  The thunderstorms in the primary rainband are producing upper level divergence which is pumping out mass to the south of Tropical Storm Merbok.

Tropical Storm Merbok is moving through an environment that is marginally favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Merbok is moving under the eastern end of an upper level ridge which is producing northerly winds which are blowing toward the top of the tropical storm.  Those northerly winds are creating moderate vertical wind shear, but they are also enhancing the upper level divergence to the south of Merbok.  Tropical Storm Merbok appears to be pulling some drier air from China into the northwestern part of the circulation.  The combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air could be the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Merbok has a chance to intensify a little more before it makes landfall.  The effects of the moderate vertical wind shear and drier air should limit any intensification and Merbok is likely to remain a tropical storm until it makes landfall.

Merbok is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the tropical storm toward the north-northwest.  That general motion is expected to continue for another day or so.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Merbok will reach the coast of China between Hong Kong and Shantou in 12 to 18 hours.  Tropical Storm Merbok will bring gust winds and locally heavy rain.  When Merbok moves inland over eastern China, it will reach the westerly winds in the middle latitudes and those winds will turn the tropical storm toward the east.

Tropical Depression 04W Forms West of Luzon

Tropical Depression 04W formed west of Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 04W was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 116.8°E which put it about 430 miles (690 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  The depression was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

An area of thunderstorms moved west-northwestward across the Philippines and a circulation slowly consolidated around a distinct center.  The center of circulation became well enough defined on Saturday to cause the system to be classified as Tropical Depression 04W.  The inner core of the depression is still organizing.  A band of thunderstorms wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms developed in other parts of the depression.  The area of showers and thunderstorms southwest of the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the depression.

Tropical Depression 04W will be moving through an environment that is favorable for intensification.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The depression is moving under the eastern end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge is producing northerly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The vertical wind shear may be part of the reason why there are more thunderstorms south of the center of circulation, but the shear is not strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression 04W is expected to intensify into a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression 04W is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the northwest.  A general northwesterly motion is expected for another 36 to 48 hours.  A turn toward the east will occur after that time.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression 04W could be near Hong Kong in about 36 hours.  Tropical Depression 04W will have strengthened into a tropical storm by that time and there is a chance it could intensify into a typhoon by the time it nears the coast of China.

Tropical Storm Tokage Develops Over the Central Philippines

A distinct center of circulation developed within a cluster of thunderstorms over the central Philippines on Thursday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Tokage.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Tokage was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 122.0°E which put it near the northwestern tip of Panay Island and about 235 miles (380 km) south-southeast of Manila, Philippines.  Tokage was moving toward the west-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 1000 mb.

The core of the circulation of Tropical Storm Tokage is still organizing.  An inner band of thunderstorms wraps around the western and southern sides of the center of circulation.  An outer rainband wraps around the northern side of the circulation from the northeastern to the southwestern quadrants.  Thunderstorms near the core of Tokage are generating upper level divergence which is pumping mass away to the west and north of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Tokage will be moving through an environment that is favorable for intensification.  Tokage will be moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge east of Tokage is producing southeasterly winds which are blowing against the tropical storm.  Although those winds are restricting upper level divergence on the southeast side of Tokage, the overall effect of the vertical wind shear is minor.  Tropical Storm Tokage is likely to intensify during the next day or two and it could reach typhoon intensity.

Tokage is moving around the southwestern portion of a subtropical ridge which is steering the tropical storm to the west-northwest.  That general motion is expected to continue for another 12 to 24 hours.   After that time Tropical Storm Tokage will reach the western end of the subtropical ridge and it will begin to move toward the north.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Tokage will pass near Mindoro Island and the Calamian Group during the next 12 hours.  It will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to those islands.  Tokage is likely to pass west of Luzon.

Typhoon Haima Brings Gusty Winds and Rain to China

The large eye of Typhoon Haima neared the coast of China on Thursday and the typhoon was bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to the area near Hong Kong.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Haima was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 115.6°E which put it about 105 miles (170 km) east of Hong Kong.  Haima was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.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 967 mb.

After the center of Typhoon Haima moved northwest of Luzon, a large eye reformed at the center of the typhoon.  The diameter of the eye is about 60 miles (95 km).  The eye is surrounded by a thin ring of thunderstorms and multiple rainbands.  Haima is a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center and winds to tropical storm force extend out about 240 miles (390 km) from the center.

Typhoon Haima is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the northwest.  Haima is expected to turn more toward the north when it reaches the coast of China.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia will begin to steer Haima toward the northeast on Friday.  On its anticipated track the eye of Typhoon Haima will make landfall on the coast of China near Haifeng and Lufeng.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Haima is 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 27.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.9.  These indices indicate that Typhoon Haima is capable of causing widespread serious wind damage.  Typhoon Haima will also generate a serious storm surge north of where the eye makes landfall and the wind blows the water toward the coast.  Haima will also bring heavy rain and a threat of floods to Guangdong, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces when it moves inland.