Tag Archives: Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Mekkhala Weakens

Typhoon Mekkhala weakened on Tuesday as it moved toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 124.7°E which put the center about 235 miles (380 km) south of Miyakojima, Japan.  Mekkhala was moving toward the north 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 974 mb.

Typhoon Mekkhala weakened on Tuesday.  An upper level ridge over China produced northeasterly winds that blew toward the top of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear caused Typhoon Mekkhala to weaken.

The northeasterly winds in the upper levels also blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in the northern half of Typhoon Mekkhala.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern half of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Typhoon Mekkhala consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the typhoon.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Tuesday.

Even though Typhoon Mekkhala weakened on Tuesday, the size of Mekkhala’s circulation did not change much.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mekkhala will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours because of the strong vertical wind shear.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mekkhala will reach the southern Ryukyu Islands in less than 24 hours.

Typhoon Mekkhala will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands including Ishigakijima and Miyakojima.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Higos weakened to a tropical depression as it moved west of the Marianas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Higos was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 141.3°E which put the center about 225 miles (360 km) west-northwest of Guam.  Higos was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Higos Forms Near the Marianas

Tropical Storm Higos formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean near the Marianas on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 145.1°E which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) south of Tinian.  Higos 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.

A low pressure system near the Marianas strengthened on Monday evening and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Higos.

A weather station at the Saipan International Airport (PGSN) reported a sustained wind speed of 38 m.p.h. (61 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (96 km/h).

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Higos was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Higos’ circulation.  Bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Higos consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of HIgos began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Higos was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern half of Higos’ circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Higos were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Higos will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification.  Higos 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 is south of Japan. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Higos’ 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.  Tropical Storm Higos could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Higos will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer HIgos toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Higos will move gradually away from the Marianas.

Tropical Storm Higos will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Tinian and Saipan.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Mekkhala started to move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 125.1°E which put the center about 370 miles (595 km) south of Miyakojima, Japan.  Mekkhala was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 943 mb.

Typhoon Mekkhala Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Typhoon Mekkhala strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 125.9°E which put the center about 305 miles (490 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Mekkhala was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 937 mb.

Typhoon Mekkhala strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was present at the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.  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 Mekkhala’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of winds speeds in Typhoon Mekkhala was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mekkhala is 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 39.9.  Typhoon Mekkhala is similar in intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit Southwest Florida in 2004.  Mekkhala is a little larger than Charley was.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Japan. The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mekhala could intensify during the next 24 hours unless the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall.  If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Mekkhala to weaken.  Typhoon Mekkhala could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, if there is no eyewall replacement cycle.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mekkhala will move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Mekkhala could approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 60 hours.

Jangmi Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Jangmi brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 128.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Tropical Storm Jangmi brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Monday.  A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa (RODN) reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h) and a wind gust of 71 m.p.h. (115 km/h).

Former Typhoon Jangmi weakened back to a tropical storm Monday.  A large eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) was still present at the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was pulling drier air around the western and southern parts of Jangmi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  Bands in the western and southern sides of Jangmi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Storms near the center of Jangmi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels.  So, the surface pressure increased gradually.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (330 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is over the east coast of China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jangmi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jangmi will continue to weaken slowly during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the east coast of China will steer Tropical Storm Jangmi toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Jangmi will move over the northern Ryukyu Islands.  The center of Tropical Storm Jangmi will be southeast of Kyushu in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Ryukyu Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Jangmi will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu.

Typhoon Jangmi Approaches Okinawa

Typhoon Jangmi was approaching Okinawa on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Jangmi was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 127.7°E which put the center about 255 miles (410 km) south of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

The northern part of Typhoon Jangmi was already affecting Okinawa on Sunday morning.  A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base (RODN) was reporting a sustained wind speed of 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and a wind gusts of 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) even though the center of Jangmi was 255 miles (410 km) south of the station.

Typhoon Jangmi continued to intensify slowly during Saturday night.   A very large circular eye was at the center of Typhoon Jangmi.  The eye had a diameter of 80 miles (130 km).  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 center Jangmi’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Jangmi 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 Jangmi was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Typhoon Jangmi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Jangmi was 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 29.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.4.

Typhoon Jangmi will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is over the east coast of China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jangmi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Typhoon Jangmi will start to weaken slowly when the vertical wind shear increases.

Typhoon Jangmi will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jangmi toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Jangmi will reach Okinawa in 18 hours.

Typhoon Jangmi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa.  Heavy rain is could cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Jangmi could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coasts of the Ryukyu Islands.

 

Jangmi Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Jangmi strengthened to a typhoon on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Jangmi was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 128.8°E which put the center about 500 miles (805 km) south of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

Former Tropical Storm Jangmi strengthened to a typhoon south of Okinawa on Saturday.  A very large circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Jangmi.  The eye had a diameter of 70 miles (110 km).  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 center Jangmi’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Jangmi 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 Jangmi was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (335 km) from the center of Typhoon Jangmi.

Typhoon Jangmi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Jangmi will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Jangmi will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jangmi toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Jangmi will approach Okinawa in 36 hours.

Typhoon Jangmi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa.  Heavy rain is could cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Jangmi could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coasts of the Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Jangmi Continues to Intensify

Tropical Storm Jangmi continued to intensify over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 130.4°E which put the center about 705 miles (1135 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Jangmi 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 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Jangmi continued to intensify as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Jangmi’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  Storms near the center of Jangmi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Jangmi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi is likely strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jangmi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jangmi will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Jangmi is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Jangmi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands.  Heavy rain is could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Jangmi Gradually Strengthening

Tropical Storm Jangmi gradually strengthened on Thursday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 133.3°E which put the center about 855 miles (1380 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

Tropical Storm Jangmi strengthened gradually on Thursday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Jangmi’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the western and southern parts of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  Bands in the eastern and northern parts of Jangmi’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Jangmi generated a little more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of a little more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Jangmi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  The large circulation around Jangmi could cause it to intensify slowly at times.  Jangmi could strengthen to a typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jangmi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jangmi will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in three days.

Tropical Storm Jangmi Forms West of Yap

Tropical Storm Jangmi formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Yap on Tuesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 9.9°N and longitude 137.3°E which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) west of Yap.  Jangmi was moving toward the north-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 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Yap strengthened on Tuesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jangmi.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was large.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Jangmi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in a band in the eastern periphery of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  Other bands in the eastern side of Jangmi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Jangmi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.   It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Jangmi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  The large circulation around Jangmi could cause it to intensify slowly at first.  Jangmi could strengthen to a typhoon by the weekend.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jangmi toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jangmi will move slowly away from Yap.  Jangmi could approach the Ryukyu Islands in a few days.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will continue to bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Yap until it moves farther away later this week.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong Clips Southern Taiwan

Tropical Storm Fung-wong clipped the southern part of Taiwan on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 122.5°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south of Taipei, Taiwan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the northeast 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 1001 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong moved across southern Taiwan on Wednesday.  Fung-wong brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain as it moved across Taiwan.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong continued to weaken as it moved across southern Taiwan on Wednesday.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into many parts of Fung-wong’s circulation.  A few thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.  Other thunderstorms were located northeast of the center where Fung-wong’s circulation was interacting with a frontal boundary.  There was little upper level divergence.  Since mass was not being transported away from Tropical Storm Fung-wong, the surface pressure was increasing.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Fung-wong was very asymmetrical.  The pressure gradient between a high pressure system over eastern Asia and Tropical Storm Fung-wong was causing a large area of tropical storm winds to the north of Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 320 miles (520 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Fung-wong.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is over eastern China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow across the top of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the drier air that is already in the circulation around Fung-wong will suppress the formation of new thunderstorms.  Strong vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Fung-wong to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fung-wong will move over the southern Ryukyu Island.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong will bring gusty winds and rain showers to the southern Ryukyu Islands.