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Typhoon Malou brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Ogasawara Islands on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 141.2°E which put it about 15 miles (25 km) east of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

The strong inner core of Typhoon Malou passed directly over Iwo To on Thursday morning. An eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was at the center of Malou. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malou was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.1.

An upper level trough near Japan will steer Typhoon Malou toward the northeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Malou will move away from the Ogasawara Islands. Typhoon Malou will pass well to the southeast of the larger islands of Japan.

Typhoon Malou will move into an environment unfavorable for tropical cyclones during the next few days. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are cooler. The upper level trough near Japan will produce stronger southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Malou’s circulation. The vertical wind shear will increase as the upper level winds get stronger. The combination of cooler water and stronger vertical wind shear will cause Typhoon Malou to weaken. The cooler water and stronger shear will also cause Malou to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next few days.

Typhoon Malou Nears Iwo To

Typhoon Malou neared Iwo To on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 24.2°N and longitude 141.3°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Malou strengthened as it moved closer to Iwo To on Wednesday night. A very large eye with a diameter of 90 miles (145 km) was at the center of Malou. Several smaller counterclockwise circulations were rotating within the eye. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the large core of Typhoon Malou. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The size of Typhoon Malou’s circulation increased on Wednesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malou was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.5.

Typhoon Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. An upper level trough near Japan will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Malou’s circulation. However, the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the southwest and so there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear. Typhoon Malou is could strengthen during the next 18 hours. The upper level winds will get stronger on Friday and the vertical wind shear will increase. Malou is likely to weaken and to begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone when the wind shear increases.

An upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Malou toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Malou could make a direct hit on Iwo To in a few hours. Typhoon Malou will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To. The eyewall with the strongest winds is likely to pass over Iwo To. The wind could blow at tropical storm force or greater for several hours. Malou will be capable of causing serious damage on Iwo To. In addition, heavy rain could also cause flash floods.

Malou Strengthens to a Typhoon South-southwest of Iwo To

Former Tropical Storm Malou strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Malou intensified to a typhoon on Tuesday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Malou and an eye appeared intermittently on satellite images. A broken 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 core of Malou’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (270 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge south of Japan. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The upper level ridge will enhance divergence which will cause the surface pressure to decrease. Typhoon Malou is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. Malou could intensify rapidly if an inner core with an eye and a complete eyewall develops.

Tropical Storm Malou Forms West of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Malou formed west of the Marianas on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Malou was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 138.1°E which put it about 515 miles (830 km) west-northwest of Saipan. Malou was moving toward the north-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 1003 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas strengthened on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Malou. The circulation around Tropical Storm Malou was still organizing. There was a broad center of circulation, but there were not many thunderstorms near the center of Malou. Several long rainbands were revolving around the broad center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern half of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) on the eastern side of Malou. The winds in the western half of Malou’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge near the Marianas. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Malou is likely to intensify steadily during the next 48 hours. Malou could strengthen to a typhoon in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Malou will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Malou toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm Malou will turn toward the northeast after it moves around the western end of the ridge. On its anticipated track Malou could approach Iwo To in three days. Malou could be a typhoon when it approaches Iwo To.

Typhoon Vamco Strengthens to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Vamco strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of Vietnam on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Vamco was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 111.9°E which put it about 275 miles (440 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam. Vamco was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 954 mb.

Typhoon Vamco rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane over the East China east of Vietnam on Friday. The circulation contracted around a small clear eye. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Vamco. Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away fro the typhoon. The removal of mass allowed the pressure to decrease rapidly which contributed to the rabid intensification.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Typhoon Vamco. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Vamco was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.8. Vamco was capable of causing significant damage.

Typhoon Vamco will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next day or so. Vamco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support an intense typhoon. However, northeasterly winds will transport drier air over eastern Asia toward the western side of Typhoon Vamco. Vamco is likely to start to weaken when the drier air is pulled into the core of the circulation.

Typhoon Vamco will move south of a high pressure system over the eastern Asia. The high will steer Vamco toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Vamco will approach the coast of Vietnam north of Da Nang in about 24 hours. Vamco is likely to still be a typhoon when it reaches Vietnam. Typhoon Vamco will drop heavy rain over Vietnam, Laos and northeastern Thailand. The rain will fall on saturated surfaces and floods will occur in those areas.

Typhoon Vamco Moves Toward Vietnam

Typhoon Vamco moved toward Vietnam on Thursday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Vamco was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 115.0°E which put it about 480 miles (775 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam. Vamco was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

One day after causing widespread damage on Luzon, Typhoon Vamco moved across the South China Sea toward Vietnam. An eye was present at the center of Vamco, but there were clouds in the eye. 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 Vamco. The size of the circulation around Vamco increased after it crossed Luzon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center.

Typhoon Vamco will move through an environment that could allow it to maintain its intensity for another 24 to 36 hours. Vamco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move under the southern portion of an upper level ridge over eastern Asia. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the Typhoon Vamco. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be too strong. Northeasterly winds will transport drier air toward the western side of Typhoon Vamco when it moves closer to land in 24 to 36 hours. Vamco could start to weaken if the drier air is pulled into the core of the typhoon.

Typhoon Vamco will move south of a high pressure system over the eastern Asia. The high will steer Vamco toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Vamco will approach the center coast of Vietnam in about 36 hours.

Typhoon Vamco Makes Landfall Northeast of Manila

Typhoon Vamco made landfall on Luzon northeast of Manila on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Vamco was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 120.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of Manila, Philippines. Vamco was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 956 mb.

Typhoon Vamco was strengthening when it made landfall on Luzon. Vamco was nearly the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall. The circulation around Typhoon Vamco also increased in size prior to landfall. Winds to typhoon force extended out 100 miles (160 km) on the northern side of Vamco. Winds to force extended out 40 miles (65 km) on the southern side of the typhoon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 350 miles in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles in the southern half of Vamco. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Vamco was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.4 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.6. Typhoon Vamco was capable of causing widespread serious damage to Luzon.

The center of Typhoon Vamco passed over the Polillo Islands before it reached Luzon. The center of Vamco will pass just north Manila, but it will be close enough to cause strong winds. The center will pass near San Fernando and Olongapo before it moves over the South China Sea. Typhoon Vamco will drop very heavy rain over Luzon and significant floods could occur. There will also be widespread power outages.

Typhoon Vamco will weaken as it passes over Luzon, but Vamco could still be a typhoon when it reaches the South China Sea. A high pressure system over eastern Asia will steer Typhoon Vamco toward the west. On its anticipated track Vamco could approach Vietnam in two or three days.

Vamco Rapidly Intensifies to Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Vamco rapidly intensified into a typhoon east of Luzon on Tuesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Vamco was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 230 miles (375 km) east of Manila, Philippines. Vamco was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

Typhoon Vamco intensified rapidly on Tuesday. A circular eye was visible on satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Vamco. Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Vamco. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Vamco will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Vamco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Vamco will continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Vamco will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Vamco toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Vamco will make landfall on the east coast of Luzon in about 12 hours. The center of Vamco will pass north of Manila and the core of Typhoon Vamco could come close to San Francisco.

Typhoon Vamco will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Luzon. Vamco will be capable of causing major damage. The heavy rain will cause flash floods in part of Luzon. Typhoon Vamco could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) on the east coast of Luzon. Vamco will weaken when the center passes over Luzon, but it is likely to still be a typhoon when it passes north of Manila. Typhoon Vamco is also likely to cause widespread power outages on Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Etau was dropping heavy rain over Cambodia. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Etau was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 105.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Etau was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

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