Tag Archives: Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Wipha Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Tropical Storm Wipha brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 111.2°E which put the center about 70 miles (110 km) east-northeast of Zhanjiang, China.  Wipha was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 980 mb.

Former Typhoon Wipha weakened to a tropical storm after it made landfall on the coast of southern China west of Hong Kong.  Tropical Storm Wipha was bringing strong winds and heavy rain to parts of southern China on Sunday.

A weather station at Hong Kong airport (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 46 knots (53 m.p.h. or 85 km/h) as the center of then Typhoon Wipha passed south of the station.  The same weather station also reported a wind gust of 65 knots (75 m.p.h. or 120 km/h).

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha remains well organized even though the center of Wipha’s circulation has been overland for a few hours.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounds the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.  The strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms are occurring in bands in the western side of Wipha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Wipha consist primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Wipha are occurring in the part of Wipha’s circulation that is over the northern South China Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Wipha will move along the coast of southern China during the next 12 hours.  The center of Wipha’s circulation could move over the northern Gulf of Tonkin on Monday.

Tropical Storm Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Storm Wipha will also produce strong winds and heavy rain in southern Guangxi and in Hainan.  Tropical Storm Wipha could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Vietnam early next week.

Tropical Storm Wipha will weaken slowly as long as the center of circulation remains over land.  If the center of Wipha’s circulation  moves over the Gulf of Tonkin on Monday, then Wipha would move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Tropical Storm Wipha would move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It would move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Wipha could intensify a little  on Monday if the center of Wipha’s circulation moves over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Wipha Intensifies to a Typhoon Near Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Wipha intensified to a typhoon near Hong Kong on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Wipha was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 113.9°E which put the center about 55 miles (95 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Wipha was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Wipha intensified to a typhoon on Saturday night near Hong Kong.  The center of Typhoon Wipha was still over water just to the south-southeast of Hong Kong.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Wipha’s circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Typhoon Wipha. Bands in the northern part of Wipha’s circulation  consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Wipha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southwest of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southern side of Typhoon Wipha.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the southern half of Wipha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km from the center of Typhoon Wipha.

Typhoon Wipha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours . Wipha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Wipha could intensify a little more during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Wipha will pass just south of Hong Kong during the next few hours.  The center of Wipha’s circulation will also pass just south of Macau.  The center of Typhoon Wipha could be near Yangjiang in 18 hours.

Typhoon Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Wipha will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern Guangdong including Macau.  Typhoon Wipha will produce strong wins and heavy rain in southern Guangxi and in Hainan.

Tropical Storm Wipha Strengthens

Tropical Storm Wipha strengthened as it moved closer to Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 117.1°E which put the center about 240 miles (390 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong.  Wipha was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 976 mb.

Tropical Storm Wipha strengthened on Saturday as it moved closer to Hong Kong.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Wipha’s circulation.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Wipha’s circulation.  Bands in the northwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Wipha consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Wipha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southwest of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) from the center of Wipha’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Wipha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Wipha could intensify during the next 12 hours.  Wipha could strengthen to a typhoon during that time.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west-northwest during the next 18 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Wipha will be near Hong Kong in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Wipha will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern Guangdong.

Tropical Storm Wipha Passes Near Northern Luzon

The center of Tropical Storm Wipha passed just to the north of northern Luzon on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 122.0°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) north-northeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Wipha was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 991 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Wipha was passing between northern Luzon and Taiwan on Friday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Wipha’s circulation on Friday.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.  Storms near the center of Wipha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha was very large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (330 km) from the center of Wipha’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Wipha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that is north of the Philippines.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Wipha will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Wipha could strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Wipha could approach Hong Kong in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Wipha will produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in northern Luzon and southern Taiwan during the rest of today.  Heavy rain could produce flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Wutip Makes Landfall in Southern China

Tropical Storm Wutip made landfall on the coast of southern China near Lianjiang on Friday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Wutip was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 110.3°E which put the center about 15 miles (25 km) southwest of Lianjiang, China.  Wutip was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Wutip strengthened to a typhoon just before it made landfall in southern China on Friday night.  Wutip weakened back to a tropical storm after it made landfall.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Wutip was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Wutip’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Wutip will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Wutip toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Wutip will move across Guangdong.  Wutip will pass north of Hong Kong.

Tropical Storm Wutip will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern China.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur in Guangdong . Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Wutip will weaken gradually as it moves across southern China.

Man-yi Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Man-yi weakened to a tropical storm over the South China Sea on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 115.4°E which put the center about 280 miles (450 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Man-yi was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 993 mb.

Former Typhoon Man-yii weakened to a tropical storm after it hit Luzon on Sunday.  An eye was no longer present at the center of Man-yi’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi.  Storms near the center of Man-yi still generated some upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass was less that the amount of mass converging in the lower levels of Tropical Storm Man-yi.  So, the surface pressure was increasing.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Man-yi became more asymmetrical as Man-yi moved over the South China Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the northern side of Man-yi’s circulation.  The large area of tropical storm force winds on the northern side of Tropical Storm Man-yi was partly due to Man-yi’s interaction with a high pressure system over China.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the southern part of Tropical Storm Man-yi.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Man-yi will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Man-yi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  In addition, the high pressure system over China will transport colder, drier air toward Tropical Storm Man-yi.  The effects of moderate vertical wind shear and colder, drier air will cause Tropical Storm Man-yi to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move around the southern side of the high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Man-yi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Man-yi will move toward Hainan.

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.

Tropical Storm Man-yi Brings Gusty Winds to Guam

Tropical Storm Man-yi brought gusty winds to Guam on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 144.4°E which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) southeast of Guam.  Man-yi was moving toward the southwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Man-yi brought gusty wind to Guam and the Marianas on Tuesday.  A weather station at the Guam International Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and a wind gust of 48 m.p.h. (77 km/h) on Tuesday.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Man-yi was somewhat disorganized.  There were not many thunderstorms near the center of Man-yi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern side of the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi.  Bands in the northern side of Man-yi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Man-yi was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Man-yi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Man-yi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Man-yi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Man-yi could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Man-yi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Man-yi will move away from the Marianas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened east of the Philippines, Tropical Depression Yinxing moved inland over Vietnam, and Tropical Storm Toraji was spinning over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Usagi was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 128.3°E which put the center about 530 miles (850 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Usagi was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 987 mb.

At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Yinxing was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 108.2°E which put the center about 145 miles (235 km) south of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Yinxing was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1004 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 116.8°E which put the center about 245 miles (395 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Toraji was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Tropical Storm Toraji Rapidly Develops East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Toraji rapidly developed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Toraji was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 127.7°E which put the center about 495 miles (795 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Toraji was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 990 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened rapidly on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Toraji.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Toraji organized quickly on Saturday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Toraji’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Toraji generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Toraji was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Toraji’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Toraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 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.  Tropical Storm Toraji will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Toraji could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Storm Toraji is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm 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 Tropical Storm Toraji will approach Luzon in a little over 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Toraji is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches northern Luzon.  Toraji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods and mudslides.  Northern Luzon is trying to recover from two recent typhoons.  Typhoon Toraji is likely to seriously disrupt those recovery activities.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Yinxing passed south of Hong Kong and Tropical Storm Man-yi formed east of the Marianas.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Yinxing was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 113.1°E which put the center about 220 miles (360 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Yinxing was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 156.1°E which put the center about 720 miles (1160 km) east of Saipan.  Man-yi was moving toward the northwest at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 999 mb.