Tag Archives: Luzon

Fung-wong Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Fung-wong strengthened to a typhoon east of the Philippines on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 12.1°N and longitude 134.6°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) north of Palau.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 982 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Fung-wong strengthened to a typhoon on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Fung-wong consisted primarily of showers and thunderstorms.  Storms near the center of Fung-wong generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Fung-wong was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is drier air to the north and west of Typhoon Fung-wong.  However, that drier is will not be pulled into the typhoon during the next day or so.  Typhoon Fung-wong will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will be northeast of Samar in 24 hours.  Fung-wong will reach northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Luzon.  Fung-wong will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain will cause widespread flash floods.  Typhoon Fung-wong could also cause a storm surge of up to 14 fee (4 meters) along portions of the coast of Luzon.

Tropical Storm Fengshen Brings Wind and Rain to Philippines

Tropical Storm Fengshen brought wind and rain to the Philippines on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Fengshen was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 122.0°E which put the center about 115 miles (185 km) east-southeast of Manila, Philippines.  Fengshen 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Fengshen was maintaining its intensity as it brought wind and rain to the Philippines on Saturday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain on parts of Luzon.  Those same bands of thunderstorms were also producing gusty winds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fengshen.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern half of Fengshen’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Fengshen were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea on Sunday.  Fengshen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Fengshen is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours while it moves across Luzon.  Fengshen will intensify when it moves over the South China Sea on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fengshen toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fengshen will move across Luzon during the next 12 hours.  Fengshen will move over the South China Sea on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Luzon during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  The weather in Luzon will start to improve later on Sunday when Tropical Storm Fengshen moves farther away.

Tropical Storm Fengshen Forms East of Philippines

Tropical Storm Fengshen formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Friday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Fengshen was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 127.4°E which put the center about 250 miles (400 km) east of Legaspi, Philippines.  Fengshen was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Fengshen.

Thunderstorms were developing near the center of Tropical Storm Fengshen.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Fengshen’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Fengshen began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fengshen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fengshen’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Fengshen will intensify during the next 24hours.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fengshen toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fengshen will move near the coast of southeastern Luzon on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Fengshen will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Matmo Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Typhoon Matmo brought strong winds and rain to Luzon on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 119.6°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Canayan, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 989 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Matmo strengthened to a typhoon as it approached Luzon on Thursday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  An eye started to form at the center of Typhoon Matmo before if made landfall in Luzon.  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 were revolving around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Matmo was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

Typhoon Matmo will weaken slightly while it moves across northern Luzon during the next few hours.  Matmo will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea on Friday.  Matmo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part 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 Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Matmo will start to intensify again when it moves over the South China Sea.

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will move across northern Luzon during the next few hours.  Matmo will move over the South China Sea on Friday.

Typhoon Matmo will cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  The strong winds could cause electricity outages.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location. Typhoon Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters).

Tropical Storm Matmo Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Matmo formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Matmo was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 126.4°E which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) east of Baler Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon strengthened on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Matmo.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Matmo was exhibiting more organization on Thursday evening.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Matmo.  Storms near the center of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Matmo was relatively symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Matmo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Matmo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part 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 Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Matmo will intensify during the next 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Matmo will hit northern Luzon in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  The strong winds could cause electricity outages.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Storm Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters).

Tropical Storm Bualoi Brings Wind and Rain to Central Philippines

Tropical Storm Bualoi brought wind and rain to the central Philippines on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 124.6°E which put the center about 5 miles (10 km) west of Catarman, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest 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. (13 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Bualoi brought wind and rain to the central Philippines on Thursday.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain were occurring in Samar.  Bualoi was also bringing wind and rain to southeastern Luzon and Masbate.

Tropical Storm Bualoi strengthened as it approached the central Philippines.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Bualoi’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi.  Storms near the center of Bualoi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Bualoi became more symmetrical on Thursday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Bualoi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bualoi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part 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 Bualoi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Even though Tropical Storm Bualoi will move through a somewhat favorable environment, the center of Bualoi will be over land at times as it moves across the central Philippines.  The times when the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi is over land will also inhibit intensification.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi will move across the Sibuyan Sea.  Bualoi will move over the South China Sea during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the central Philippines.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur in southern Luzon, Masbate, Sibuyan Island, Tablas Island, Burias Island, Marinduque, and Mindoro.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Bualoi could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Neoguri continued to meander far to the east of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 154.1°E which put the center about 855 miles (1380 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 982 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Hammers Babuyan Islands

Typhoon Ragasa hammered the Babuyan Islands just north of Luzon on Sunday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Mounday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 121.1°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) north of Claveria, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 916 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale when it hit the Babuyan Islands just north of Luzon on Sunday night.  The eye at the center of Ragasa’s circulation passed over Babuyan Island.  Typhoon Ragasa brought potentially catastrophic winds and heavy rain to the island.  Ragasa could also have caused a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the island.

Typhoon Ragasa was still the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Monday morning.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was at the center of Ragasa’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 were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  The balance of inflow and outflow of mass caused the surface pressure to remain nearly constant.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 63.4.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.  Ragasa was bigger than Maria was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Ragasa could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be south of Hong Kong in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will continue to produce very strong winds and heavy rain in the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Island until it moves farther to the west of those islands.   Typhoon Ragasa is likely to cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also continue to cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri weakened slightly far to the east of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 30.3°N and longitude 152.0°E which put the center about 825 miles (1330 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 950 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday night east of northern Luzon.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 280 miles (455 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday night.  A small circular eye was at the center of Ragasa’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 were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 55.6.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Ragasa could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

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

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters).  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, powerful Typhoon Neoguri continued to spin far to the southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 151.6°E which put the center about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 936 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 128.4°E which put the center about 475 miles (765 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  A small circular eye was present at the center of Ragasa’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 were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Ragasa.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) in the northern side of Ragasa’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.9.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Ragasa was not as large as Rita was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could continue to intensify rapidly.  Typhoon Ragasa could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri continued to strengthen southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 154.5°E which put the center about 1100 miles (1775 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest 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 955 mb.

Ragasa Strengthens to Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 16.52°N and longitude 129.3°E which put the center about 530 miles (855 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 985 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  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 center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Ragasa is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Ragasa will move closer to northern Luzon.  The center of Typhoon Ragasa will be near northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened to a typhoon southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put the center about 1210 miles (1950 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 980 mb.