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Typhoon Rai Brings Wind and Rain to the Southern Philippines

Typhoon Rai brought wind and rain to the southern Philippines on Thursday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 10.0°N and longitude 120.4°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) east of Puerto Princesa, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 956 mb.

Typhoon Rai brought strong winds and heavy rain as it moved across the southern Philippines on Thursday. The core of Typhoon Rai affected Siarago Island, Dinagat Island, northern Mindanao, southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros and southern Panay Island. There were reports of wind damage, power outages and flash floods across the southern Philippines.

Typhoon Rai moved over the Sulu Sea on Thursday night and its structure remained well organized. A circular eye was present at the center of Rai’s circulation. 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 core of Typhoon Rai. Storms near the core of Rai generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (245 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.5. Rai was capable of causing regional major damage.

Although Typhoon Rai weakened when the center passed over the islands of the southern Philippines, it will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon as it moves over the Sulu Sea. Rai 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to cause much weakening. Typhoon Rai is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours. Rai could strengthen when it moves over the South China Sea during the weekend.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Rai will move across Palawan during the next 12 hours. Rai will be capable of causing major damage. It will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Palawan on Friday. Typhoon Rai will move over the South China Sea during the weekend. Rai could approach Vietnam by the end of the weekend.

Typhoon Rai Hits the Southern Philippines

Powerful Typhoon Rai hit the southern Philippines on Thursday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 10.0°N and longitude 125.3°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Maasin, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 927 mb.

The center of powerful Typhoon Rai made landfall on Siargao Island on Thursday morning. The core of Rai’s circulation moved over Dinagat Island and northern Mindanao. The center of Typhoon Rai was over the Bohol Sea just to the south of Leyte. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall of Typhoon Rai as it hit the southern Philippines. Microwave satellite images indicated that concentric eyewalls formed, which increased the size of the core of Rai. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Typhoon Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.5. Rai was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Rai will weaken when the center is over land, but it will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon as it moves over the southern Philippines. Rai 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to cause much weakening. Typhoon Rai weaken gradually when the center passes over land.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Rai will pass over southern Leyte, northern Bohol, Cebu, northern Negros, southern Panay Island, northern Palawan, Linapacan Island, Culion Island and Busuanga Island. Typhoon Rai will weaken when the center passes over land, but it will be the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moves across the southern Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Negros, Bohol, Panay Island, Palawan, Linacapan Island, Culion Island and Busuanga Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore. Typhoon Rai could cause severe damage in locations that experience the inner core of the circulation.

Typhoon Rai Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Rai rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Wednesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 9.8°N and longitude 126.3°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) east of Dinagat, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 915 mb.

Typhoon Rai continued to intensify very rapidly during Wednesday evening and it strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. A small circular eye with a diameter of 8 miles (13 km) was at the center of Rai’s 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 Rai. Storms near the core of Rai generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away to the west and north of the typhoon. The continued rapid removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease very rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Rai exhibited more symmetry as it rapidly intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 52.5. Typhoon Rai was capable of doing regional catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Rai 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Typhoon Rai could continue to strengthen until the center makes landfall in southern Philippines in a few hours. Rai will weaken when the center passes over land.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Rai will pass over Siargao Island in a few hours. The core of Rai will pass over Dinagat Island, southern Leyte, northern Bohol, Cebu, northern Negros and southern Panay Island. Typhoon Rai will weaken when the center passes over land, but it will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it moves across the southern Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Panay Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore. Typhoon Rai could cause catastrophic damage in locations that experience the inner core of the circulation.

Typhoon Rai Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Rai rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 128.3°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) east of Dinagat, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 942 mb.

Typhoon Rai intensified very rapidly during Wednesday afternoon and it reached the equivalent of a major hurricane. . A small circular eye with a diameter of 8 miles (13 km) was at the center of Rai’s 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 Rai. Storms near the core of Rai generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away to the west and north of the typhoon. The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Rai increased in size as it rapidly intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.2. Typhoon Rai was capable of doing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Rai 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Typhoon Rai will continue to strengthen during the next 12 hours. Rai could continue to rapidly intensify during the next few hours.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Rai could approach northern Mindanao in 12 hours. Rai will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches the Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Panay Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Typhoon Rai Strengthens East of Mindanao

Typhoon Rai strengthened east of Mindanao on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 129.3°E which put it about 260 miles (415 km) east of Dinagat, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west 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 969 mb.

Typhoon Rai continued to intensify during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. A small circular eye was at the center of Rai’s 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 Rai. The strongest rainbands were in the western and southern parts of the typhoon. Storms near the core of Rai generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Rai tightened as it intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 23.9. Typhoon Rai was capable of doing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Rai 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Typhoon Rai will continue to strengthen during the next 18 hours. Rai could undergo a period of rapid intensification

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Rai could approach northern Mindanao in 18 hours. Rai will be a typhoon when it reaches the Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Panay Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Typhoon Nyatoh Brings Wind and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Nyatoh brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Nyatoh was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 142.9°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Iwo To. Nyatoh was moving toward the northeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Bands in the northwestern side of Typhoon Nyatoh brought strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To on Friday. The core of Nyatoh’s circulation where the strongest winds were occurring passed to the southeast of Iwo To. An upper level trough over Japan was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Typhoon Nyatoh’s circulation. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear and the shear started to weaken Nyatoh when it approached Iwo To. A circular eye was still present at the center of Typhoon Nyatoh, but the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring around the eye and in bands in the northern half of Nyatoh. Bands in the southern half of the typhoon consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Even though Typhoon Nyatoh was weakening, it was still the equivalent of a major hurricane. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Nyatoh. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Nyatoh was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.8.

The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Nyatoh quickly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Nyatoh will move away from Iwo To and the weather conditions should improve. Typhoon Nyatoh will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for a typhoon. Nyatoh will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24.5˚C. The upper level trough will continue to produce strong vertical wind shear. A surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will transport drier air toward the western side of Nyatoh’s circulation. Cooler water, strong vertical wind shear, and drier air will cause Typhoon Nyatoh to weaken rapidly during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Nyatoh Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Nyatoh strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean southwest of Iwo To on Thursday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nyatoh was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 137.1°E which put it about 540 miles (875 km) southwest of Iwo To. Nyatoh was moving toward the northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 955 mb.

Typhoon Nyatoh rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Thursday. A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) formed at the center of Nyatoh. 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 Nyatoh. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Nyatoh increased in size on Thursday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Nyatoh. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (355 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Nyatoh was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.7.

Typhoon Nyatoh will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nyatoh will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. An upper level trough near Japan will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Nyatoh’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 24 hours. Clockwise flow around a surface high pressure system centered over eastern Asia will transport drier air toward the northwestern part of Nyatoh’s circulation. The drier air will begin to be pulled into the northwestern part of Typhoon Nyatoh’s circulation during the next 24 hours. The combination of more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Typhoon Nyatoh to start to weaken.

The upper level trough near Japan will steer Typhoon Nyatoh toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nyatoh could approach Iwo To on Friday. Although Nyatoh will weaken, it will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Iwo To.

Typhoon Malou Brings Strong Winds, Rain to Ogasawara Islands

Typhoon Malou brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Ogasawara Islands on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 141.2°E which put it about 15 miles (25 km) east of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

The strong inner core of Typhoon Malou passed directly over Iwo To on Thursday morning. An eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was at the center of Malou. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malou was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.1.

An upper level trough near Japan will steer Typhoon Malou toward the northeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Malou will move away from the Ogasawara Islands. Typhoon Malou will pass well to the southeast of the larger islands of Japan.

Typhoon Malou will move into an environment unfavorable for tropical cyclones during the next few days. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are cooler. The upper level trough near Japan will produce stronger southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Malou’s circulation. The vertical wind shear will increase as the upper level winds get stronger. The combination of cooler water and stronger vertical wind shear will cause Typhoon Malou to weaken. The cooler water and stronger shear will also cause Malou to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next few days.

Typhoon Malou Nears Iwo To

Typhoon Malou neared Iwo To on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 24.2°N and longitude 141.3°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Malou strengthened as it moved closer to Iwo To on Wednesday night. A very large eye with a diameter of 90 miles (145 km) was at the center of Malou. Several smaller counterclockwise circulations were rotating within the eye. 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 large core of Typhoon Malou. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The size of Typhoon Malou’s circulation increased on Wednesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malou was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.5.

Typhoon Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. An upper level trough near Japan will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Malou’s circulation. However, the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the southwest and so there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear. Typhoon Malou is could strengthen during the next 18 hours. The upper level winds will get stronger on Friday and the vertical wind shear will increase. Malou is likely to weaken and to begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone when the wind shear increases.

An upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Malou toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Malou could make a direct hit on Iwo To in a few hours. Typhoon Malou will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To. The eyewall with the strongest winds is likely to pass over Iwo To. The wind could blow at tropical storm force or greater for several hours. Malou will be capable of causing serious damage on Iwo To. In addition, heavy rain could also cause flash floods.

Hurricane Sam Passes East of Bermuda

Hurricane Sam passed east of Bermuda on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Sam was located at latitude 33.9°N and longitude 59.3°W which put it about 335 miles (540 km) east-northeast of Bermuda. Sam was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 945 mb.

Hurricane Sam was still a powerful hurricane when it passed east of Bermuda on Saturday morning. Sam was rated at Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was present at the center of Hurricane Sam. 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 round the core of Sam’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Sam continued to increase in size as it moved farther to the north. Winds to hurricane force extended out 65 miles (10 km) from the center of Sam. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 240 miles (390 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Sam was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.7.

Hurricane Sam will move through an environment capable of maintaining a major hurricane during the next 12 hours. Sam will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak during the next 12 hours. An upper level trough east of the U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will start to affect Hurricane Sam on Sunday. Those winds will blow toward the top of Sam’s circulation and they will cause more vertical wind shear. Hurricane Sam will also move over cooler water on Sunday. The wind shear and cooler water will cause Hurricane Sam to weaken as it begins a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough east of the U.S. will steer Hurricane Sam toward the northeast later during the next several days. On its anticipated track Hurricane Sam will pass southeast of Newfoundland on Monday. Sam could be a powerful extratropical cyclone southeast of Greenland by early next week.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Victor weakened west of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Victor was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 37.2°W which put it about 905 miles (1455 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Victor was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.