Tag Archives: Japan

Tropical Storm Francisco Drops Heavy Rain on South Korea

Tropical Storm Francisco dropped heavy rain on parts of South Korea on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 37.4°N and longitude 129.4°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Tonghae, South Korea.  Francisco was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

After moving across Kyushu on Monday night, the center of Tropical Storm Francisco crossed the Korea Strait and moved northward over eastern South Korea.  The center of Francisco made landfall near Busan (Pusan), South Korea.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the northern half of Tropical Storm Francisco dropped heavy rain over parts of South Korea.  The rain could create the potential for flash floods in some locations.  Winds to tropical storm force were occurring in the portions of rainbands over the Sea of Japan.

Tropical Storm Francisco will soon reach a region where the westerly winds in the middle latitudes are blowing.  Those winds will turn Francisco eastward over the Sea of Japan.  Tropical Storm Francisco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the westerly winds in the upper levels will create strong vertical wind shear and significant intensification is not expected.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Francisco could reach Hokkaido in about 48 hours.  Francisco could still be a tropical storm at that time.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Lekima strengthened into a typhoon southeast of Taiwan and Tropical Storm Krosa intensified south of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Lekima was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 127.9°E which put it about 575 miles (925 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Lekima was moving toward the 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 967 mb.  Typhoon Lekima could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane and it is forecast to move toward Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Krosa was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 141.9°E which put it about 360 miles (585 km) south of Iwo To.  Krosa was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.  Tropical Storm Krosa is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and to move toward Iwo To.

Typhoon Francisco Brings Wind and Rain to Kyushu

Typhoon Francisco brought wind and rain to Kyushu on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Francisco was located at latitude 32.2°N and longitude 131.4°E which put it about 20 miles (35 km) north of Miyazaki, Japan.  Francisco was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Typhoon Francisco strengthened on Monday as it neared the coast of Kyushu.  A small eye developed 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 showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Francisco.  The stronger bands were primarily in the eastern half of the circulation.

The core of Typhoon Francisco made landfall on Kyushu just to the north of Miyazaki.  Typhoon Francisco will bring very heavy rain and strong gusty winds to much of Kyushu.  Francisco is forecast to turn toward the northwest and the center of circulation will move across the middle of Kyushu.  Locally heavy rain falling on steep terrain will create the potential for serious flash flooding in some locations.  Rainbands in the eastern half of Typhoon Francisco will also drop locally heavy rain over parts of western Shikoku and western Honshu.

Typhoon Francisco will weaken when it moves across Honshu, but then it will move over the Korea Strait and make another landfall in South Korea.  Francisco will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern South Korea on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lekima continue to meander east of Luzon.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lekima was located at latitude 18.7° and longitude 129.3°E which put it about 670 miles (1085 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Lekima was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Lekima Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Lekima formed east of Luzon on Sunday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of former Tropical Depression 10W and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Lekima.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lekima was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 131.3°E which put it about 725 miles (1170 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Lekima was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Lekima was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands west of the center of circulation.  There were fewer thunderstorms in the eastern half of the circulation.  Lekima was near the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge was producing easterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Lekima will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few days.  Lekima will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move gradually into a region where the upper level winds are weaker and the vertical wind shear will diminish.  Tropical Storm Lekima will intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon early next week.

Tropical Storm Lekima will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Lekima toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lekima could approach the southern Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan in about four days.  Lekima could be a typhoon by that time.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Francisco was speeding toward southwestern Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 140.8°E which put it about 710 miles (1150 km) east-southeast of Kagoshima, Japan.  Francisco was moving toward the northwest at 19 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Wipha Drops Heavy Rain on Vietnam and China

Tropical Storm Wipha dropped heavy rain on parts of northeastern Vietnam and southern China on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 107.4°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) northeast of Hai Phong, Vietnam.  Wipha was moving toward the west-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha exhibited much greater organization on Friday even though it was moving close to the coast of southern China.  There was a tighter inner core and more thunderstorms were occurring in the bands revolving around the core.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm in all directions.  The appearance of Tropical Storm Wipha on satellite imagery was much more circular and symmetrical.  The strongest winds were occurring in the part of the circulation that was still over water.

Tropical Storm Wipha was being steering slowly toward the west-southwest by a subtropical ridge over China and the adjacent waters of the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The combination of greater organization and slow movement will allow Wipha to drop very heavy rainfall over coastal regions of southern China and northern Vietnam.  Prolonged heavy rain will very likely cause flash flooding in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Francisco was strengthening slowly east-southeast of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 149.4°E which put it about 545 miles (880 km) east-southeast of Iwo To.  Francisco was moving toward the northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

Tropical Storm Francisco Forms Northeast of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Francisco formed northeast of the Marianas  on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 152.4°E which put it about 800 miles (1290 km) east-southeast of Iwo To.  Francisco was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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.

A surface low pressure system developed southeast of an upper low north of the Marianas and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Francisco.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Francisco was asymmetrical.  Stronger thunderstorms were occurring east of the center of circulation and in a band south of the center of Tropical Storm Francisco.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The upper low was producing southwesterly winds which were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was the main factor responsible for asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Francisco will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Francisco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The upper low north of the Marianas will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear during the next day or so.  Tropical Storm Francisco could intensify slowly on Friday.  Francisco will move farther north of the upper low over the weekend.  When it gets farther away from the upper low, the wind shear will diminish and Tropical Storm Francisco could strengthen more quickly.

Tropical Storm Francisco will move southwest of a subtropical ridge over Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Francisco toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Francisco could be northeast of Iwo To in about 48 hours.  Francisco could approach southwestern Japan in about fours days.  It is forecast to be a typhoon by that time.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Wipha was moving slowly near the south coast of China.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 109.2°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of Beihai, China.  Wipha was moving toward the southwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Nari Drops Heavy Rain on Honshu

Tropical Storm Nari dropped locally heavy rain and producing gusty winds on Honshu on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Nari was located at latitude 35.2°N and longitude 137.0°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) east of Nagoya, Japan.  Nari was moving toward the north-northeast 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.

Tropical Storm Nari was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of central Honshu.  The heaviest rain was falling in bands located in the western half of the circulation.  Heavier rain was falling in the area between Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto.  Bands of heavier rain were also falling north of Nagoya.  Most of the bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Nari consisted primarily lighter showers and lower clouds.  The heavier rain could produce flash flooding in some locations.

Tropical Storm Nari will move more toward the east-northeast on Saturday.  The center of Nari is forecast to pass north of Tokyo.  Tropical Storm Nari will continue to drop locally heavy rain over central and eastern Honshu when it moves over those locations.

Tropical Storm Nari Develops South of Japan

Tropical Storm Nari developed south of Japan on Thursday night.  The Japan Meteorological Agency designated a low pressure system south of Honshu as Tropical Storm Nari when the maximum sustained wind speed reached 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nari was located at latitude 30.2°N and longitude 136.9°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) south of Nagoya, Japan.  Nari was moving toward the north 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 1000 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Nari exhibited more of a hybrid structure than the structure of a pure tropical cyclone.  Tropical Storm Nari developed when an upper level low pressure system stalled south of the Japan.  A surface circulation formed beneath the upper low and then more thunderstorms formed closer to the center of circulation.  The original upper level low was located southwest of the surface low on Thursday night.  The upper level low was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing across the surface low.  Those winds were creating vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Nari showed evidence of the effect of that wind shear.  The stronger thunderstorms were in a band that curved around north and west of the center of circulation.  Bands south and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The wind field around Tropical Storm Nari was also asymmetric.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 115 miles (185 km) to the east of the center of circulation, but only extended out about 60 miles (95 km) to the west of the center.

Tropical Storm Nari will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification.  Nari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  The upper low will continue to cause vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  The upper low will also pull some drier air around the southern side of the circulation.  Nari could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours if more thunderstorms develop closer to the center of circulation.  Tropical Storm Nari will move under stronger westerly winds in about a day or so.  Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear and they should prevent further intensification.

Tropical Storm Nari will be steered by the interaction of the upper low and a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  Those two features are likely to steer Nari toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nari could approach the coast of Honshu near Nagoya in about 24 hours.  Nari will move more toward the east when it reaches the stronger westerly winds in a day or so.  Tropical Storm Nari could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to central Honshu on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Danas Speeds Toward South Korea

Tropical Storm Danas sped toward South Korea on Friday as it moved quickly north-northeast over the East China Sea.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 125.1°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) south-southwest of Mopko, South Korea.  Danas was moving toward the north-northeast at 19 m.p.h. (30 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 987 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Danas remained asymmetrical on Friday.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands well to the east of the center of circulation.  Bands closer to the center and on the western side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough over eastern China was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The wind field also exhibited the effects of the wind shear.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Danas on the eastern side of the circulation, but only extended out about 120 miles (195 km) on the western side of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Danas will remain in an environment only marginally favorable for intensification until it makes landfall in South Korea.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level trough over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Danas could intensify a little during the next 12 hours, but it will weaken after the center moves over South Korea.

Tropical Storm Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge and the upper level trough will interact to steer Danas rapidly toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danas will make landfall on the southwestern coast of South Korea in about 12 hours.  Danas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Korea on Saturday.  The heaviest rain will fall over the southeastern half of South Korea.  Locally heavy rain in that region could cause flash floods.  The outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Danas could also drop locally heavy rain over western Kyushu.

Tropical Storm Danas Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Danas moved near the southern Ryukyu Islands late on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 124.1°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan.  Danas was moving toward the north at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Danas exhibited a little more organization on Wednesday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and several bands of showers and thunderstorms formed in the eastern half of the circulation.  The bands north and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 125 miles (200 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Danas will move into an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  A small upper level low near Taiwan will produce southwesterly winds which blow toward the top of the circulation around Tropical Storm Danas.  Those winds were the reason why the stronger rainbands were in the eastern half of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  However, the shear will have less of an effect since Danas will move in the same direction as the upper level winds.  Tropical Storm Danas is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen into a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Danas toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Danas will move through the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next few hours.  Danas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain when it passes over those islands.  Tropical Storm Danas will move over the East China Sea toward southwestern Japan and South Korea during the next several days.

Tropical Storm Danas Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Danas formed east of Luzon on Tuesday.  A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of low pressure east of Luzon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Danas.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 123.1°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east of Tuguegarao, Philippines.  Danas was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 994 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Danas was highly asymmetrical.  There were a few thunderstorms just to the southwest of the center of circulation, but most of the thunderstorms were occurring in a band on the far western edge of the circulation around Danas.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Tropical Storm Danas was moving around the southeastern portion of an upper level ridge over east Asia.  The ridge was producing strong easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation around Danas.  The easterly winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetric distribution of thunderstorms.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Danas was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Danas will move into an environment that is only marginally favorable for intensification.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  So, there is plenty of energy in the upper ocean.  The strong upper level easterly winds are expected to weaken somewhat during the next several days.  If those winds weaken, then there will be less vertical wind shear and Tropical Storm Danas could strengthen.  If the upper level winds remain strong, then Danas will not strengthen and it could weaken to a tropical depression.  The forecast is for very slow intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Since there are not a lot of taller thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Storm Danas, it will be steered by the winds in the lower troposphere.  Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will turn Danas toward the north on Wednesday.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danas will remain east of Luzon.  The center of Danas could be near southeastern Taiwan in 24 to 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Danas could be near the east coast of China in about three days.  The primary risks will be locally heavy rain and flash floods.