Tag Archives: Jebi

Typhoon Jebi Intensifies Rapidly East of Northern Marianas

Typhoon Jebi intensified rapidly east of the Northern Marianas on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Jebi was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 149.8°E which put it about 270 miles (435 km) east of Pagan.  Jebi was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.  A Typhoon Warning was in effect for Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan in the Northern Marianas.

The circulation of Typhoon Jebi was very well organized and it was symmetrical.  A small circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Jebi.  Storms around the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Typhoon Jebi will be moving through an environment very favorable for further intensification.  Jebi 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.  Jebi is likely to intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Thursday.

Typhoon Jebi will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific for several more days.  The ridge will steer Jebi in a general westerly direction during that time.  Typhoon Jebi will reach the western end of the ridge in about 48 hours.  Jebi will make a gradual turn toward the north when it reaches the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Jebi will reach the northernmost Mariana Islands within 24 hours.  Jebi will be capable of causing major damage when it arrives.  Jebi is forecast to pass south of Iwo To, but it will turn toward the major islands of Japan during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Jebi Forms East of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Jebi formed east of the Marianas on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 156.6°E which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) east of Saipan.  Jebi was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1004 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed in a cluster of showers and thunderstorms east of the Northern Marianas and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jebi.  The circulation of Jebi was still organizing.  A primary rainband wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing in the eastern half of the circulation.  Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence.

Tropical Storm Jebi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jebi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southerly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear.  Two upper level lows northwest and northeast of Jebi will enhance upper level divergence to the north of the tropical storm.  Tropical Storm Jebi will strengthen and it could become a typhoon later this week.

Tropical Storm Jebi will move southwest of a ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen and it will steer Jebi in a general west-northwesterly direction during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jebi could be near the northernmost Mariana Islands in about three days.  Jebi could be a typhoon by that time.  Jebi could be south of Iwo To by the end of the week.