Tag Archives: Taiwan

Typhoon Noul Intensfying North of Palau

Typhoon Noul continued to intensify on Wednesday as it passed north of Palau.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Noul was located at latitude 10.7°N and longitude 133.7°E which put it about 270 miles north of Palau and about 550 miles east of the Philippines.  Noul was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 125 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Noul is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It is moving close to the axis of an upper level ridge and so the vertical wind shear is low.  The environment is favorable for further intensification and Noul could eventually reach the equivalent of a major hurricane.

A subtropical ridge north of Noul is steering it toward the west-northwest and that motion is expected to continue for several days.   On its projected track Noul could approach the Philippines in two days and it could be near Luzon in three days.  As Noul nears Luzon it is expected to turn more toward the north.  If the circulation is intact after it crosses Luzon, it could head toward Taiwan.

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong Near Taiwan

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-Wong was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 120.0°W which put it about 250 miles south-southwest of Taipei Taiwan.  Fung-Wong was moving just slightly east of due north at 8 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 75 m.p.h.

Fung-Wong will likely move near or across Taiwan during the next few hours.  Locally heavy rainfall will be possible, especially in locations where the circulation around Fung-Wong pushes air up the slopes of mountains.  Flooding may be an issue in areas that experience heavy rainfall.  The heaviest rainfall will likely occur on the eastern slopes of mountains as Fung-Wong moves across southern Taiwan and brings easterly winds to those areas.  However, the potential for flooding along the western slopes of mountains, especially in northern Taiwan, may exist as the tropical storm moves north of the island and the wind shifts to a more westerly direction.

Fung-Wong will likely weaken as the circulation in the lower levels is disrupted by the mountains.  It could maintain tropical storm intensity and move toward eastern China once the center emerges back over the water.