Tag Archives: Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Khanun Brings Gusty Winds and Rain Back to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Khanun brought gusty winds and rain back to Okinawa on Friday night. A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h) and a wind gust of 69 m.p.h. (111 km/h). At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 27.7°N and longitude 127.2°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 972 mb.

Former Typhoon Khanun weakened to a tropical storm on Friday. The bands in the inner core of Khanun’s circulation consisted of low clouds and showers. Bands of thunderstorms were located in the eastern and southern parts of Tropical Storm Khanun. Bands in the northwestern part of Khanun also consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The bands of thunderstorms generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours . Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Tropical Storm Khanun is unlikely to intensify during the next 24 hours, because of the lack of thunderstorms in the inner core of its circulation. The large circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun seems to be in an equilibrium with its environment and the intensity may not change much during the next 36 hours..

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Khanun will pass north of Okinawa in 12 hours. The center of Khanun could pass over Amami Oshima in less than 24 hours. Tropical Storm Khanun will continue to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa, Amami Oshima and the other northern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Khanun Stalls West of Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun stalled over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Okinawa on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 124.8°E which put it about 200 miles (325 km) west of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

Typhoon Khanun weakened while it stalled west of Okinawa. Khanun had almost completed an eyewall replacement cyclone on Thursday night. The former inner eyewalll consisted of a ring of low clouds and showers. The strongest winds were occurring in the southern part of the ring of showers. A very large, broken outer eyewall with a diameter of 150 miles (240 km) surrounded the center of Typhoon Khanun. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the outer eyewall. Storms around the outer eyewall generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large, even though Khanun was weaker. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) to the south of the center of Khanun. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 10.4. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 25.1. Typhoon Khanun was capable of causing regional minor damage.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Typhoon Khanun is unlikely to intensify during the next 24 hours, because of the almost completed eyewall replacement cycle. The eyewall replacement cycle disrupted the inner core of Khanun. Typhoon Khanun is unlikely to intensify until the larger outer eyewall begins to contract closer to the center of circulation. Khanun could actually weaken a little more on Friday.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move back toward the Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Khanun will to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa and the other northern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. The center of Khanun could be just north of Okinawa in 36 hours.

Large Typhoon Khanun Churns West of Okinawa

Large Typhoon Khanun churned over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Okinawa on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) west of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (1650 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around an existing eye and eyewall on Wednesday and concentric eyewalls formed in Typhoon Khanun. The inner eye had a diameter of 15 miles (25 km). The inner eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The inner eyewall was surrounded by a large clear area called a moat. The moat was surrounded by a large outer eyewall that had a diameter of 115 miles (185 km). Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls. Storms in the concentric eyewalls generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Khanun increased when the concentric eyewalls formed. Winds to typhoon force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 235 miles (380 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 37.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 54.8. Khanun is capable of causing extensive serious damage. Typhoon Khanun was large than Hurricane Ivan was when Ivan hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2004. Khanun was not quite as strong as Ivan was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Typhoon Khanun is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours, because of the concentric eyewalls. The inner eyewall is likely to weaken and the low level convergence will occur into the large, outer eyewall. Since the strongest winds are in the inner eyewall, the wind speed will decrease when the inner eyewall weakens.

Typhoon Khanun will be in an area where the steering currents are weak during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will meander west of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. Khanun is forecast to move back toward the east-northeast later this week. The center of Typhoon Khanun could pass north of Okinawa on Friday. Khanun is forecast move across the northern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Typhoon Khanun will continue to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa and other Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Khanun Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 127.1°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south-southwest of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 941 mb.

Typhoon Khanun brought strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa on Tuesday. The eye and eyewall at the center of Khanun’s circulation passed just south of Okinawa. Bands in the northern part of Typhoon Khanun moved across Okinawa. A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base reported a sustained wind speed of 74 m.p.h. (119 km/h). The weather station reported a wind gust to 87 m.p.h. (141 km/h).

An eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Khanun. 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 core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.8. Khanun is capable of causing regional major damage. Typhoon Khanun was as strong as Hurricane Dennis was when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005. Khanun was much larger than Dennis was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will become less favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, there is a region of drier air northwest of the Ryukyu Islands. Some of the drier air could get pulled into the western half of Typhoon Khanun. The drier air is likely to cause Typhoon Khanun to weaken during the next 24 hours. Khanun is likely to move slowly during the next few days. Strong winds near the surface will mix cooler water to the surface of the ocean. Typhoon Khanun will extract less energy from the ocean and it is likely to continue to weaken later this week.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Khanun move west of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. The steering currents are likely to weaken later this week and Typhoon Khanun could meander near the Ryukyu Islands for several days. Khanun will continue to bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa and the other southern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Khanun will also cause a significant storms surge in the parts of islands where the winds blow water toward the coast.

Typhoon Khanun Approaches Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun was approaching Okinawa on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 930 mb.

Typhoon Khanun continued to strengthen on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Khanun’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 core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the typhoon in all directions.

The core of Typhoon Khanun contracted on Monday as Khanun intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.7. Khanun is capable of causing regional severe damage. Typhoon Khanun was almost as strong as Hurricane Ida was when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021. Khanun was larger than Ida was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun 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 Khanun could intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could develop. The formation of concentric eyewalls would cause Khanun to weaken.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Khanun will be just south of Okinawa in 12 hours. Khanun will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa and the other southern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Khanun will also cause a significant storms surge in the parts of islands where the winds blow water toward the coast.

Typhoon Khanun Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Khanun rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane southeast of Okinawa on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 133.7°E which put it about 405 miles (655 km) southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 948 mb.

Typhoon Khanun rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Khanun’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 core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the typhoon in all directions. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 26.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.2. Typhoon Khanun was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Jeanne when Jeanne hit Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun 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 Khanun is very likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Khanun could intensify rapidly at times.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. The center of Khanun could be just south of Okinawa in 36 hours.

Khanun Strengthens to a Typhoon South-Southeast of Okinawa

Former Tropical Storm Khanun strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Okinawa on Sunday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 132.5°E which put it about 575 miles (925 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Khanun continued to steadily strengthen during Saturday night and Khanun reached typhoon intensity on Sunday. A circular eye developed at the center of Khanun’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The large circulation around Typhoon Khanun became much more symmetrical during the past 24 hours. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Khanun will intensify during the next 36 hours. Khanun could intensify rapidly at times. Typhoon Khanun could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in 36 hours. Khanun could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Okinawa.

Tropical Storm Khanun Intensifies

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Okinawa on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 680 miles (1100 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified steadily on Saturday, but there still were few thunderstorms near the center of Khanun. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Khanun’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Khanun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the inner ends of rainbands in the southern and eastern parts of Khanun generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Khanun.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Khanun is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Khanun is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in less than 48 hours. Khanun is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches Okinawa.

Tropical Storm Khanun Spins East of the Philippines

Tropical Khanun was spinning east of the Philippines on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 134.4°E which put it about 870 miles (1405 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the 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 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun gradually became more organized as it spun east of the Philippines on Friday. The distribution of thunderstorms in Khanun’s circulation was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Khanun. The strongest winds were occurring in those rainbands. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the southern side of Khanun. Bands in the northern half of Khanun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The winds in the northern side of Tropical Storm Khanun were blowing at less than tropical storm force. Storms near the center of Khanun’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level ridge over eastern China. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Khanun’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Khanun is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in less than 72 hours.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Doksuri weakened as it moved farther inland over eastern China. Doksuri was still dropping heavy rain over parts of eastern China. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Doksuri was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 117.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of Jingdezhen, China. Doksuri was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 996 mb.

Typhoon Doksuri Hits Eastern China

Typhoon Doksuri hit eastern China on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 118.5°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of Xiamen, China. Doksuri was moving toward the north-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 940 mb.

The center of Typhoon Doksuri made landfall on the east coast of China between Xiamen and Quanzhou on Thursday night. Doksuri was bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Fujian. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Doksuri was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.8. Typhoon Doksuri was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Sally when Sally hit Alabama in 2020.

Typhoon Doksuri will continue to move toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Doksuri will move inland over eastern China. Doksuri will weaken as it moves inland. The core of Typhoon Doksuri will bring strong winds to Fujian. Doksuri will also drop heavy rain over parts of Fujian. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Doksuri will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 06W strengthened to Tropical Storm Khanun east of the Philippines. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 135.7°E which put it about 1060 miles (1710 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1001 mb. Tropical Storm Khanun is forecast to move toward the Ryukyu Islands and to strengthen to a typhoon.