Tag Archives: Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Talim Forms over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Talim formed over the South China Sea during Friday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Talim was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 117.7°E which put it about 360 miles (585 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Talim was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 992 mb.

A large low pressure system over the South China Sea strengthened during Friday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Talim. The circulation around Tropical Storm Talim was very large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Talim’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of the circulation. Even though the circulation around Tropical Storm Talim was large, the winds were weaker near the center of circulation. There were few thunderstorms near the center of circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and southern sides of Tropical Storm Talim.

Tropical Storm Talim will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The water at the surface of the South China Sea is very warm. Talim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that extends from the Western North Pacific Ocean to China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Talim’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Talim is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Talim will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Talim toward the northwest during the weekend. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Talim could be south of Hong Kong in less than 48 hours. Talim could approach the coast of southern China early next week. Tropical Storm Talim could be a typhoon when it approaches southern China.

Nalgae Strengthens to a Typhoon South-Southeast of Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Nalgae strengthened to a typhoon over the South China Sea south-southeast of Hong Kong on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Nalgae was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 116.3°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong. Nalgae was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

Typhoon Nalgae strengthened gradually over the South China Sea south-southeast of Hong Kong on Monday. A large eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Nalgae’s circulation. 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 center of Typhoon Nalgae. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) in the western side of Nalgae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 330 miles (515 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nalgae will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the western side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Nalgae’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Nalgae is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move into an environment where there is drier air in the lower levels of the atmosphere when it moves closer to China. Typhoon Nalgae will weaken when the drier air gets pulled into its circulation.

Typhoon Nalgae will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nalgae toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nalgae will move closer to Hong Kong during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move more toward the west when it encounters the drier environment near China and weakens.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Banyan developed east of the Philippines. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Banyan was located at latitude 7.3°N and longitude 131.2°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) east of Mindanao. Banyan was moving toward the west-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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Nesat Passes South of Hong Kong

Typhoon Nesat passed south of Hong Kong as it moved across the South China Sea on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Nesat was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 113.3°E which put it about 285 miles (460 km) south of Hong Kong. Nesat was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 971 mb.

Typhoon Nesat started to weaken on Monday night as it passed south of Hong Kong. A circular eye was still present at the center of Nesat’s circulation. However a break occurred in the southeastern part of the ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye of Typhoon Nesat. The strongest winds were occurring in the broken ring of thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were occurring in the western half of Nesat. Bands in the eastern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Nesat generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Nesat interacted with a large surface high pressure system over southern China to produce a large area of tropical storm force winds in the northern part of Nesat’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 400 miles (640 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Nesat. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) in the southern side of Nesat. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nesat will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Nesat 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 that extends over the Western North Pacific Ocean to southern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The surface high pressure system over southern China will produce northeasterly winds that will transport drier air into the northern and western parts of Typhoon Nesat. The vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Typhoon Nesat to weaken during the next 48 hours.

The surface high pressure system over southern China will steer Typhoon Nesat toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Nesat will pass south of Hainan in 36 hours. Nesat is likely to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it passes south of Hainan. Nesat could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Hainan on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Nesat Intensifies to a Typhoon Northwest of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Nesat intensified to a typhoon over the South China Sea northwest of Luzon on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Nesat was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 119.5°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) northwest of Laoag, Philippines. Nesat was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Nesat rapidly intensified to a typhoon over the South China Sea on Sunday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Typhoon Nesat. 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 Nesat’s circulation. The strongest rainbands were in the western and northern parts of the circulation. Storms near the core of Nesat generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Nesat’s circulation. Storms to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nesat will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nesat 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 that extends over the Western North Pacific Ocean to eastern China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Nesat will strengthen during the next 24 hours. Nesat could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.

Typhoon Nesat will move around the southern side of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Nesat toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nesat could be south of Hong Kong within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Ma-on Moves over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Ma-on moved over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 116.1°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Ma-on was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on maintained its intensity as it moved over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of Ma-on’s circulation. However, the distribution of thunderstorms in the rest of Tropical Storm Ma-on was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Ma-on. Bands in the eastern and northern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level ridge over China was producing east-northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Ma-on. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ma-on will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 29˚C. The upper level ridge over China will continue to cause vertical wind shear. If the vertical wind shear does not increase, then Tropical Storm Ma-on could strengthen during the next 24 hours. There is a chance Ma-on could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ma-on toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ma-on could be south of Hong Kong in 12 hours. The center of Ma-on could make landfall on the south coast of China near Yangjiang and Dianbai in 24 hours. Tropical Storm Ma-on will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern China. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Tokage was passing east of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Tokage was located at latitude 35.8°N and longitude 149.4°E which put it about 475 miles (770 km) east of Tokyo, Japan. Tokage was moving toward the north-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Ma-on brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 121.2°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Claveria, Philippines. Ma-on was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Luzon on Tuesday morning. The center of Ma-on made landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon east of Tuguegarao during Monday night. Tropical Storm Ma-on moved northwest across northern Luzon. Ma-on intensified before it made landfall and it was almost a typhoon at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Ma-on’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move through an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea. Ma-on will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 29˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ma-on’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Ma-on is likely to strengthen to a typhoon during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ma-on toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ma-on will move away from northern Luzon later on Tuesday. Ma-on will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon until it moves farther away. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Ma-on could be south of Hong Kong in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Tokage intensified to a typhoon southeast of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Tokage was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 149.6°E which put it about 670 miles (1080 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Tokage was moving toward the north-northwest at 19 m.p.h. (30 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 979 mb.

Tropical Storm Mulan Forms South of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Mulan formed over the South China Sea south of Hing Kong on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Mulan was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 112.8°E which put it about 280 miles (450 km) south of Hong Kong. Mulan was moving toward the north 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.

A small low pressure system on the eastern side of a much larger low pressure system over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong strengthened on Tuesday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Mulan. The circulation around Tropical Storm Mulan was embedded in a larger low pressure system over the South China Sea which had a diameter of 700 miles (1130 km). The distribution of thunderstorms around Mulan was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the eastern half of Mulan’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Mulan’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Mulan will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mulan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the eastern side of a broad upper level low over the South China Sea. The upper low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Mulan’s circulation. The winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the south. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Even though the water will be warm and there will be little vertical wind shear, the fact that Tropical Storm Mulan is a smaller low pressure system embedded in a much larger low pressure system is likely to inhibit intensification.

Tropical Storm Mulan will move around the northeastern part of the larger low pressure system over the South China Sea during the next 24 hours. The larger low pressure system will steer Mulan toward the northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Mulan could approach the south coast of China near Zhanjiang within 24 hours. Mulan will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern China. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Chaba Strengthens South of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Chaba was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 113.7°E which put it about 275 miles (445 km) south of Hong Kong, China. Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened south of Hong Kong on Thursday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around most of the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the part of the rainband wrapped around the center. Bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the southern half of Chaba’s circulation. Bands in the northern half of Chaba contained more showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the 24 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the northern part of the South China Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Chaba will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Chaba could be near the northeastern part of Hainan Island in 18 hours. Chaba could approach the coast of southern China near Zhanjiang in 24 hours. Chaba could be a typhoon when it approaches southern China. It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere formed south-southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 130.8°E which put it about 470 miles (760 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb. Tropical Storm Aere is forecast to move toward the north-northwest and to strengthen gradually. Aere could be near Okinawa in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Chaba Forms over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Chaba formed over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Chaba was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 115.1°E which put it about 440 miles (710 km) south of Hong Kong, China. Chaba was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong strengthened on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Chaba. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Chaba was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Chaba’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

An upper level ridge over southern China was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Chaba. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the 36 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. However, the upper level ridge over southern China will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent some intensification of Chaba. Tropical Storm Chaba is likely to intensify gradually during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the north-northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Chaba could approach Hainan Island and the coast of southern China in 36 hours.

Typhoon Rai Rapidly Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Rai rapidly weakened to a tropical storm south-southwest of Hong Kong on Monday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Rai was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 113.5°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong. Rai was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 997 mb.

A surface high pressure system over eastern Asia produced northeasterly winds that transported drier air which was pulled into the circulation of former Typhoon Rai. The drier air caused the thunderstorms in Rai’s circulation to dissipate and the circulation weakened. Bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Rai consisted almost entirely of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.

Since Tropical Storm Rai consists of a shallow circulation, it will be steered by the winds in the lower levels of he atmosphere. Rai will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Tropical Storm Rai toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Rai could be southwest of Taiwan in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Rai will move through an environment unfavorable for a tropical cyclone. Rai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. However, Rai will continue to be surrounded by drier air, which will prevent the formation of new thunderstorms. In addition, an upper level trough over eastern Asia will produce southwesterly winds that will blow across the top of Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear and the shear will also be unfavorable for intensification. Tropical Storm Rai will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.