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Typhoon Ragasa Brings Wind and Rain to Hong Kong

Typhoon Ragasa brought wind and rain to Hong Kong on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 113.2°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 944 mb.

The center of Typhoon Ragasa passed south of Hong Kong on Tuesday night.  A weather station at the airport in Hong Kong (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 47 kt (54 m.p.h. or 87 km/h) and a wind gust of 66 kt (76 m.p.h. or 122 km/h).

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall in Typhoon Ragasa as it was passing south of Hong Kong.  A second outer eyewall appeared to be developing.  The formation of concentric eyewalls could start another eyewall replacement cycle.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 45.9.  Typhoon Ragasa is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Ragasa is larger than Harvey was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next few hours.  Ragasa 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.  Even though Typhoon Ragasa will move through a favorable environment, another eyewall replacement cycle would cause Ragasa to weaken.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will make landfall on the coast of southern China west of Macau in 12 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guangxi and to western Guangdong.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along portions of the coast.  Ragasa could also drop heavy rain over northern parts of Vietnam and Laos.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bualoi formed east of the Philippines and former Typhoon Neoguri weakened to a tropical storm far to the east of Japan.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 133.4°E which put the center about 535 miles (865 km) east of Surigao, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-southwest 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 1002 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 154.6°E which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Hammers Babuyan Islands

Typhoon Ragasa hammered the Babuyan Islands just north of Luzon on Sunday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Mounday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 121.1°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) north of Claveria, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 916 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale when it hit the Babuyan Islands just north of Luzon on Sunday night.  The eye at the center of Ragasa’s circulation passed over Babuyan Island.  Typhoon Ragasa brought potentially catastrophic winds and heavy rain to the island.  Ragasa could also have caused a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the island.

Typhoon Ragasa was still the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Monday morning.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was at the center of Ragasa’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 center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  The balance of inflow and outflow of mass caused the surface pressure to remain nearly constant.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 63.4.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.  Ragasa was bigger than Maria was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa 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 Ragasa could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be south of Hong Kong in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will continue to produce very strong winds and heavy rain in the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Island until it moves farther to the west of those islands.   Typhoon Ragasa is likely to cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also continue to cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri weakened slightly far to the east of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 30.3°N and longitude 152.0°E which put the center about 825 miles (1330 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 950 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday night east of northern Luzon.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 280 miles (455 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday night.  A small circular eye was at the center of Ragasa’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 center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 55.6.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa 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 Ragasa could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 24 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters).  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, powerful Typhoon Neoguri continued to spin far to the southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 151.6°E which put the center about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 936 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 128.4°E which put the center about 475 miles (765 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  A small circular eye was present at the center of Ragasa’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 center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Ragasa.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) in the northern side of Ragasa’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.9.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Ragasa was not as large as Rita was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa 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 Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could continue to intensify rapidly.  Typhoon Ragasa could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri continued to strengthen southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 154.5°E which put the center about 1100 miles (1775 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-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 955 mb.

Ragasa Strengthens to Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 16.52°N and longitude 129.3°E which put the center about 530 miles (855 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-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 985 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  A 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 Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa 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 Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Ragasa is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Ragasa will move closer to northern Luzon.  The center of Typhoon Ragasa will be near northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened to a typhoon southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put the center about 1210 miles (1950 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Tropical Storm Mitag Brings Wind and Rain to Southeastern China

Tropical Storm Mitag brought wind and rain to southeastern China on Friday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 115.1°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east-northeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

The center of Tropical Storm Mitag made landfall on the coast of southeastern China east of Hong Kong on Thursday night.  Mitag was bringing wind and rain to parts of Guangdong.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Mitag’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will move inland over Guangdong.  The center of Mitag’s circulation will pass north of Hong Kong.

Tropical Storm Mitag will weaken gradually as it moves over southern China.  Mitag will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Guangdong during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa moved slowly toward northern Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened southeast of Japan.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 130.5°E which put the center about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west 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 1000 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 159.8°E which put the center about 1450 miles (2340 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Mitag Develops Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Mitag developed over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 116.5°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the west-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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong strengthened on Thursday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency  designated the system as Tropical Storm Mitag.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag continued to get better organized on Thursday morning.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Mitag’s circulation.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mitag.  Bands in the western side of Mitag’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mitag.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the eastern side of Mitag’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Mitag were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mitag 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 eastern China and the South China Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Mitag will intensity during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will be near Hong Kong in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mitag will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa formed east of Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri formed southeast of Japan.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 132.7°E which put the center about 755 miles (1220 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa 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 1003 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 162.5°E which put the center about 1630 miles (2630 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

Tropical Storm Co-may Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Co-may brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Co-may was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 120.6°E which put the center about 10 miles (15 km) east of Vigan, Philippines.  Co-may was moving toward the northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

The center of former Typhoon Co-may made landfall on the coast of northwestern Luzon west of Baguio on Thursday.  Co-may weakened back to a tropical storm after the center of circulation moved inland over Luzon.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Co-may was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Co-may’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Co-may will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in northern Luzon during the next few hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Co-may is likely to cause widespread outages of electricity in northern Luzon.  Tropical Storm Co-may could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of northwestern Luzon.

Tropical Storm Co-may will get pulled toward the northeast by the much larger circulation around Tropical Storm Francisco.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Co-may will move north of Luzon in a few hours.  Tropical Storm Co-may will pass east of Taiwan on Friday.

Tropical Storm Co-may will continue to weaken as it moves across northern Luzon.  Co-may will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification after it moves north of Luzon.  Co-may will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, it will move under the southeastern side of an upper level low that is centered over the east coast of China.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Co-may’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Co-may to continue to weaken when it moves north of Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, the center of Tropical Storm Francisco moved west of Okinawa and Tropical Storm Krosa formed west of the Marianas.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 27.0°N and longitude 124.3°E which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) west of Okinawa.  Francisco was moving toward the west-northwest at 23 m.p.h. (37 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 991 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Krosa was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 143.3°E which put the center about 170 miles (280 km) west-northwest of Tinian. Krosa was moving toward the north 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 999 mb.

Co-may Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Co-may strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of northern Luzon on Thursday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Co-may was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 119.6°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) west of Baguio, Philippines.  Co-may was moving toward the east at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Co-may strengthened to a typhoon as it approached the coast of northwestern Luzon on Thursday.  Numerous thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Co-may’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Co-may.  Storms near the center of Co-may generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Co-may was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Co-may’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Typhoon Co-may.

Typhoon Co-may will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Co-may will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern side of an upper level low that is centered over the east coast of China.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Co-may’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Co-may could intensify a little more during the next few hours.

Typhoon Co-may will get pulled toward the northeast by the much larger circulation around Tropical Storm Francisco.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Co-may will make landfall on the coast of northern Luzon near Bolinao in a few hours.  The center of Co-may will pass just west of Baguio.  The center will pass south of Vigan.

Typhoon Co-may will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Typhoon Co-may is likely to cause widespread outages of electricity in northern Luzon.  Co-may could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of northwestern Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was approaching  Okinawa.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 25.2°N and longitude 127.4°E which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) south of Okinawa.  Francisco was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 987 mb.

Tropical Storm Co-may Forms West of Luzon

Tropical Storm Co-may formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Luzon on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Co-may was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 118.7°E which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) west of Vigan, Philippines.  Co-may was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 992 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Luzon strengthened on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Co-may.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Co-may was organizing quickly.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Co-may’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Co-may.  Storms near the center of Co-may generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the western side of Tropical Storm Co-may.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western half of Co-may’s circulation.  The winds in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Co-may were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Co-may will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Co-may will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern side of an upper level low that is centered east of Taiwan.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Co-may’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Co-may will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Co-may could strengthen to a typhoon on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Co-may will get pulled toward the northeast by the much larger circulation around Tropical Storm Francisco.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Co-may will approach northern Luzon in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Co-may could be a typhoon when it approaches the coast of northwestern Luzon.  Co-may will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Co-may is likely to cause widespread outages of electricity in northern Luzon.  Co-may could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of northwestern Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Francisco strengthened a little as it moved toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 129.1°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Francisco was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 994 mb.