Tag Archives: Tinian

Typhoon Hagibis Rapidly Intensifies Into Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Hagibis rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane east of the Marianas on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the cener of Typhoon Hagibis was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 148.8°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) east-northeast of Guam.  Hagibis was moving toward the west-northwest at 19 m.p.h. (31 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. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Typhoon Warnings were in effect for Tinian, Saipan, Alamagan and Pagan.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Rota and Agrihan.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Guam.

Typhoon Hagibis intensified very rapidly on Sunday night.  The maximum sustained wind speed increased from 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) in six hours.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Hagibis and a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the typhoon.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away in all directions.  The removal of mass was allowing the minimum surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Hagibis was increasing in size.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hagibis was 20.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.1 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38,3,  Typhoon Hagibis was capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Hagibis will continue to move through an environment very favorable for intensification for another 24 to 36 hours.  Hagibis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Hagibis could continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale during the next 24 hours.  At some point a rainband is likely to wrap around the existing eye and eyewall and an eyewall replacement cycle will end the intensification of Typhoon Hagibis.

Typhoon Hagibis will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Hagibis toward the west-northwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Hagibis will turn more toward the northwest in a day or so.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Hagibis will reach the Marianas in about 12 hours.  The center of Hagibis is likely to pass north of Saipan.  Typhoon Hagibis will bring strong winds and heavy rain.  It will be capable of causing major damage to the Northern Marianas.  Typhoon Hagibis could approach southwestern Japan in four or five days.

Hagibis Strengthens to a Typhoon, Warnings Issued for Marianas

Former Tropical Storm Hagibis strengthened into a typhoon Sunday and warnings were issued for the Marianas.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Hagibis was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 150.3°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east-northeast of Guam.  Hagibis was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 978 mb.

Typhoon Warnings were in effect for Tinian, Saipan, Alamagan and Pagan.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Rota and Agrihan.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Guam.

Typhoon Hagibis exhibited much better organization on satellite images on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped almost entirely around the center of circulation and an eye was forming in the middle of Hagibis.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Hagibis.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  Winds to typhoon force extend out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center.

Typhoon Hagibis will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 72 hours.  Hagibis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Hagibis will continue to intensify and it is likely to intensify rapidly once the eye and eyewall are fully developed.  Hagibis could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane within 36 hours and it could intensify to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale within 72 hours.

Typhoon Hagibis will move around the southwestern portion of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Hagibis toward the west-northwest during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Typhoon Hagibis will move more toward the northwest when it gets closer to western end of the ridge in a couple of days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Hagibis will move through the Marianas in about 24 hours.  The center of Hagibis is forecast to pass north of Saipan.  Typhoon Hagibis will bring strong gusty winds and heavy rain to portions of the Northern Marianas.

Tropical Storm Hagibis Forms East of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Hagibis formed east of the Marianas on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Hagibis was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 155.0°E which put it about 735 miles (1185 km) east of Guam.  Hagibis was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (34 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 993 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system east of the Marianas and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Hagibis.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Hagibis was organizing quickly.  The inner end of a band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed and were revolving around the center of Hagibis.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Hagibis will move through an environment very favorable for intensification.  Haigibis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Hagibis will continue to strengthen and it could intensify rapidly once an eye and an eyewall create a fully developed inner core.  Hagibis could strengthen into a typhoon within 24 hours.  It could be the equivalent of a major hurricane in two or three days.

Tropical Storm Hagibis will move south of a subtropical ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Hagibis toward the west during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Hagibis will move toward the northwest next week when it gets closer to the western end of the subtropical ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hagibis could reach the Northern Marianas within 36 hours.  Hagibis could be a typhoon when it reaches the Marianas.

Typhoon Wutip Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane South of Guam

Typhoon Wutip strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane south of Guam on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Wutip was located at latitude 10.1°N and longitude 144.7°E which put it about 240 miles (385 km) south of Guam.  Wutip was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 949 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Guam, Rota and Faraulep.  Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for Tinian, Saipan, Agrihan and Pagan.

Typhoon Wutip was a very well organized tropical cyclone.  A small eye was at the center of circulation.  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 Typhoon Wutip.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Wutip had a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 185 miles (295 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Wutip was 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.3 and The Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 39.4.  Typhoon Wutip was capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Wutip may be near its peak intensity.  Wutip will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  So, there is enough energy in the upper ocean to support a strong typhoon.  Typhoon Wutip has been in an area where the upper level winds were weak and there was little vertical wind shear.  The shear will remain small for another 12 to 24 hours.  Then an upper level trough will approach Typhoon Wutip from the west in a day or so.  The trough will bring southwesterly winds and the vertical wind shear will increase.  Wutip will start to weaken when the shear increases.

Typhoon Wutip will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  Wutip will gradually turn more toward the north while it moves around the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Wutip will pass west of Guam and the Northern Marianas.  Wutip could bring winds to tropical storm force to Guam and some of the other islands, which is why the warnings and watches were issued.

Wutip Intensifies Into a Typhoon Southeast of Guam

Former Tropical Storm Wutip intensified into a typhoon southeast of Guam on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Wutip was located at latitude 6.5°N and longitude 150.0°E which put it about 640 miles (1035 km) southeast of Guam.  Wutip was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 Watches have been issued for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.  A Typhoon Warning is in effect for Satawal and Puluwat.  A Tropical Storm Warning and a Typhoon Watch are in effect for Ulul and Faraulep.

Typhoon Wutip continued to exhibit better organization on Wednesday.  A cluster of thunderstorms remained near the center of circulation.  A band of storms wrapped around the southern side of the center, which could indicate the start of the formation of an eyewall.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Wutip.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Typhoon Wutip will move through an environment favorable for intensification for several more days.  Wutip will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  Typhoon Wutip will move around the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will create some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be great enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Wutip will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane within 36 hours.

The ridge will steer Typhoon Wutip in a northwesterly direction during the next 48 hours.  Wutip is likely to turn more toward the north-northwest when it approaches the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Wutip could be south of Guam in 36 to 48 hours.  Wutip could be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Oma continued to spin over the Coral Sea between New Caledonia and Australia.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Oma was located at latitude 22.7°S and longitude159.8°E which put it about 560 miles (905 km) northeast of Brisbane, Australia.  Oma was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 981 mb.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Thailand

Tropical Storm Pabuk brought wind and rain to southern Thailand on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 98.5°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) northeast of Phuket, Thailand.  Pabuk was moving toward the west-northwest 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 997 mb.

Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall near Sichon in southern Thailand.  Pabuk brought gusty winds to much of the Isthmus of Kra.  It also dropped heavy rain over parts of southern Thailand.  Tropical Storm Pabuk weakened when it crossed the Isthmus of Kra, but the core of the circulation appears to have remained intact.  Pabuk is moving over the Andaman Sea and it still has a well defined low level center of circulation.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of the tropical storm.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms are located in the northeastern part of the circulation which is over the Gulf of Thailand.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move into an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean will produce southeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  However, the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Pabuk from strengthening.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will continue to move around the western end of the ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Pabuk toward the west-northwest for another 24 to 36 hours.  Pabuk will turn more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Pabuk will reach the Andaman Islands in about 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 01W formed southeast of the Marshall Islands.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Depression 01W was located at latitude 4.9°N and longitude 174.0°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) southeast of Majuro, Marshall Islands.  It was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.  Tropical Depression 01W is forecast to move toward the west-northwest and strengthen.  On its anticipated track it could move toward Majuro, Kwajalein, Ujelang, and the Marianas.

Dangerous Typhoon Yutu Slams Tinian and Saipan

Dangerous Typhoon Yutu slammed Tinian and Saipan on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 144.8°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) west-northwest of Saipan.  Yutu was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 205 m.p.h. (330 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 908 mb.

Typhoon Warnings were in effect for Rota, Tinian and Saipan.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

The eye of Typhoon Yutu passed directly over Tinian on Wednesday and the northern side of the eyewall moved over Saipan.  So, they would have experienced the strongest parts of Typhoon Yutu.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu is 40.4.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 26.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 67.1.  Typhoon Yutu was capable of causing widespread catastrophic damage when it passed over Tinian and Saipan.

Yutu is still a very powerful typhoon, but an eyewall replacement cycle appears to have started.  A rainband has wrapped around the original eye and eyewall.  The inner eye and eyewall are still intact and the strongest winds are occurring in the ring of thunderstorms that surround the original eye.  The imminent formation of a second, outer eyewall increased the size of the circulation around Typhoon Yutu.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 240 miles (390 km) from the center.

Typhoon Yutu will remain in an environment capable of supporting a very strong typhoon for several more days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The incipient eyewall replacement cycle will cause Typhoon Yutu to weaken when the inner eyewall dissipates.  However, Yutu could strengthen again, if it remains in a favorable environment and the outer eyewall contracts closer to the center of circulation.  Typhoon Yutu is likely to remain a powerful typhoon during the next 48 hours.

Typhoon Yutu will move southwest of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will move away from the Northern Marianas, and conditions should gradually improve there.  Yutu could be south of Okinawa in four or five days.

Typhoon Yutu Intensifies Rapidly to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane, Imminent Threat to Marianas

Typhoon Yutu intensified rapidly on Tuesday into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale and Yutu posed an imminent threat to the Marianas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 147.5°E which put it about 155 miles (255 km) east-southeast of Rota.  Yutu was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 935 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Rota, Saipan and Tinian.  Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

Typhoon Yutu intensified rapidly during the past 24 hours.  A circular eye developed at the center of Yutu.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Yutu.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Typhoon Yutu has a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 210 miles (335 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size index (HWISI) is 52.4.  Typhoon Yutu is capable of causing widespread extensive damage.

Typhoon Yutu will move through an environment favorable for further intensification during the next several days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Yutu could intensify into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  At some point a rainband will wrap around the existing eye and eyewall, and an eyewall replacement cycle will occur.  Yutu will weaken during the eyewall replacement cycle, but the typhoon could strengthen afterwards if it remains in an environment favorable for intensification.

Typhoon Yutu will move around the southwestern portion of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu in a general west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will reach the Northern Marianas in about 12 hours.  The core of Yutu will pass between Rota and Tinian.  Rota, Tinian and Saipan are likly to have winds to typhoon force.  Typhoon Yutu will be capable of causing extensive damage in those locations.  Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan are likely to receive winds to tropical storm force.  Wind speeds will be stronger on the northern part of Guam and the damage potential is greater there than it is for the southern part of Guam.

Yutu Strengthens Into a Typhoon East of the Marianas

Former Tropical Storm Yutu strengthened into a typhoon east of the Marianas on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 11.8°N and longitude 151.2°E which put it about 475 miles (770 km) east-southeast of Guam.  Yutu was moving toward the west-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 975 mb.

A Typhoon Warning was in effect for Tinian and Saipan.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Rota.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

The circulation around Typhoon Yutu became better organized on Monday.  An inner rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of circulation.  A partial eyewall appeared to be forming.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Yutu.  The strongest thunderstorms were developing in the bands in the eastern half of the circulation.  There were thunderstorms in bands in the western side of Typhoon Yutu, but those bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 60 miles (95 km) from center center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Typhoon Yutu will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next two or three days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Yutu will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane in a day or two.

Typhoon Yutu will move around the southwestern portion of an ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Typhoon Yutu toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will move over the Northern Marianas in about 36 to 48 hours.  Yutu will be a typhoon when it reaches the Marianas.  It will bring strong winds and it could be capable of causing major damage.

Tropical Storm Yutu Forms Southeast of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Yutu formed southeast of the Marianas on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yutu was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put it about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Guam.  Yutu was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area or thunderstorms northeast of Chuuk and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Yutu.  The circulation around Yutu was organizing quickly.  An inner band of showers and thunderstorms was wrapping around the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming and they were starting to revolving around the center.  Storms near the center were producing upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Yutu will be moving through an environment that is very favorable for intensification.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and there will little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Yutu could strengthen into a typhoon within 36 hours and it could rapidly intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane within three or four days.

Tropical Storm Yutu will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days.  The ridge will steer Yutu toward the northwest during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Yutu will approach the Marianas in about three days.  It will likely be a typhoon by that time.