Tag Archives: Manila

Typhoon Phanfone Moves Away from the Philippines

Typhoon Phanfone moved away from the Philippines on Wednesday after bringing wind and rain to the central Philippines.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Phanfone was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 118.3°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) west-southwest of Manila, Philippines.  Phanfone was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 975 mb.

Typhoon Phanfone weakened earlier on Wednesday.  The core of Phanfone moved over southern Mindoro and the typhoon weakened when the circulation was disrupted by the mountains.  Satellite imagery suggested that the circulation around Typhoon Phanfone might be reorganizing on Wednesday night.  A small circular eye reappeared on visible satellite images.  Thunderstorms in the eyewall were growing taller.  Storms around the core of Phanfone were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) north of the center of circulation and out 20 miles (30 km) south of the center.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Phanfone.

Typhoon Phanfone will move through an environment capable of supporting a typhoon for another 24 hours.  Phanfone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  In about 24 hours Typhoon Phanfone will reach an area where winds near the surface are blowing from the northeast.  Those winds will bring drier air which will get pulled into the circulation around Phanfone.  Typhoon Phanfone will weaken when the drier air enters its circulation.

Typhoon Phanfone will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Phanfone toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Phanfone will move across the South China Sea and it will move farther away from the Philippines.

Typhoon Kammuri Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Luzon

Typhoon Kammuri brought wind and rain to southern Luzon and Mindoro on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 114.9°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) south-southwest of Manila, Philippines.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 976 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri made landfall on the coast of southeastern Luzon near Sorsogon and Legaspi on Nonday.  After making landfall, the eye of Kammuri passed over San Pascual on the northern end of Burias Island.  The center of Kammuri moved across the Sibuyan Sea and the core of the typhoon passed over Marinduque Island and northern Mindoro.  Rainbands in the northern half of Typhoon Kammuri produced strong winds and dropped heavy rain over southern Luzon.  There were reports of widespread power outages.  There were also reports of several deaths associated with the passage of Kammuri.

Typhoon Kammuri weakened slowly as the circulation passed over land.  Increased friction caused the wind speed to gradually decrease and mountains disrupted portions of the circulation.  The eastern side of the eyewall weakened and the eye was no longer apparent on infrared satellite images.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands west and north of the center of circulation.  Bands southeast of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center.

Conditions will improve over southern Luzon and Mindoro as Typhoon Kammuri moves farther away.  Kammuri could maintain its intensity over even strengthen slightly during the next 24 hours as it moves over the warm water in the South China Sea.  Typhoon Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Kammuri will reach the eastern end of a surface high pressure system over eastern Asia in about 24 hours.  Strong northeasterly winds will blow around the eastern end of the high and those winds will create strong vertical wind shear as they blow under southwesterly winds in the upper levels.  The strong wind shear is likely to cause Typhoon Kammuri to weaken quickly in about a day or so.

A ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean will steer Typhoon Kammuri toward the west for about another 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Kammuri will move farther away from the Philippines.  When Typhoon Kammuri reaches the area of more vertical wind shear and the typhoon weakens, it will be steered by winds closer to the surface.  The strong northeasterly winds in that part of the atmosphere will steer Kammuri toward the south-southwest later this week.

Major Typhoon Kammuri Makes Landfall on Southeastern Luzon

Major Typhoon Kammuri made landfall on southeastern Luzon near Sorsogon and Legaspi on Monday.  At noon EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 123.6°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) west of Legaspi, Philippines and about 230 miles (370 km) east-southeast of Manila.  Kamuri 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 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the 12 hours prior to landfall on Monday.  A large eye with a diameter to 50 miles (80 km) developed at the center of Kammuri.  A thick ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and 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 generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease more quickly.

Typhoon Kammuri also grew larger as it got stronger.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) in most portions of Kammuri, but those strong winds extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northwestern part of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in most parts of the circulation, but they extended out 300 miles (480 km) to the northwest of the center of Kammuri.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kammuri was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.5.  Typhoon Kammuri was capable of causing widespread major damage to southern Luzon.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Kammuri toward the west-northwest during the next 36 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kammuri will move across southeastern Luzon and over the Sibuyan Sea during the next few hours.  The center of Kammuri is forecast to pass south of Manila in 18 to 24 hours.

Typhoon Kammuri will weaken slowly as it moves across southeastern Luzon.  Kammuri will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern Luzon.  Typhoon Kammuri will also have a big impact on Burias, Marinduque Island and Mindoro.  Kammuri could produce winds to near typhoon force around Manila.  Typhoon Kammuri is likely to cause major damage around Legaspi.  Locally heavy rain could produce flash floods in numerous locations.  Kammuri could cause serious damage around Manila.

Typhoon Kammuri Strengthens As It Nears Southeast Luzon

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened as it neared southeast Luzon on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 126.0°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) east- southeast of Manila, Philippines and about 160 miles (260 km) east of Legaspi.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened on Sunday.  An ellipitical eye with a mean radius of 30 miles (50 km) cleared out at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Kammuri.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

The wind field around Typhoon Kammuri became more symmetrical on Sunday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.1.  Typhoon Kammuri was capable of causing serious damage.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Kammuri could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane before it reaches southeastern Luzon.  Kammuri will start to weaken after the center moves over land.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Kammuri will pass between Samar and Catanduanes Island before making landfall near Sorsogon on southeast Luzon.  The center of Kammuri will pass near Legaspi, Tabaco and Ligao.

Typhoon Kammuri will be capable of causing major damage in the Philippines.  Kammuri will bring strong winds to southeast Luzon.  Typhoon Kammuri could also produce winds to near typhoon force in Virac on Catanduanes Island.  Kammuri could produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) in locations where the wind blows water toward the coast.  Typhoon Kammuri will drop locally heavy rain over southern Luzon.  Flash floods could occur, especially in areas of steeper slopes.

Typhoon Kammuri Moves Closer to the Philippines

Typhoon Kammuri moved closer to the Philippines on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 130.5°E which put it about 685 miles (1100 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 19 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri appeared to be getting better organized on Saturday night.  Visible satellite images of Kammuri  suggested that an eye was clearing out at the center of the typhoon.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around much of the developing eye.  There was still a gap on the northwestern side of the eyewall, but the gap was getting smaller.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the more organized core of Typhoon Kammuri.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles from the center of circulation in the northern half of Typhoon Kammuri and out 25 miles in the southern side of the typhoon.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (355 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kammuri was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.9.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours.  Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Kammuri will intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  Intensification could be more rapid once an eye and eyewall are full formed.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system that extends from eastern Asia to the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west during the next three days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kammuri could approach Catanduanes Islands and southeastern Luzon in about 36 hours.  Kammuri could be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Typhoon Kammuri Churns West Over Philippine Sea

Typhoon Kammuri churned westward over the Philippine Sea on Friday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 13.9°N and longitude 135.7°E which put it about 1015 miles (1640 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Kammuri was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri exhibited few changes on Friday.  The eye and eyewall were still not fully formed.  The tops of strong thunderstorms near the eye were obscuring the center of circulation on conventional satellite images.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of Kammuri consisted of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Kammuri did increase in size on Friday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km).  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Kammuri was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.7.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next two to three days.  Kammuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Kammuri will intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A period of more rapid intensification could occur once an eye and eyewall are fully formed.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kammuri could approach Luzon in about 72 hours.  Kammuri could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Luzon.

Typhoon Kammuri Turns Back Toward the Philippines

After jogging toward the north on Thursday, Typhoon Kammuri turned back toward the Philippines on Thursday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Kammuri was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 138.0°E which put it about 1150 miles (1850 km) east of Manila, Philippines.  Kammuri was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Kammuri strengthened gradually on Thursday.  The eye that was forming on Wednesday was not yet apparent on conventional infrared or visible satellite images.  Microwave satellite images still indicated that an eye was developing at the center of circulation.  So, high clouds from thunderstorms around the center of Kammuri must have been obscuring the eye on other satellite images.  The upper part of the circulation may have been tilted toward the north by southerly winds blowing around the western end of an upper level ridge.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center.

Typhoon Kammuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Kammuri will move over water in the Philippine Sea where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Kammuri will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 to 48 hours.  There could be a period of rapid intensification after the eye and eyewall are fully developed.

Typhoon Kammuri will move south of a high pressure system that extends from eastern Asia over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Kammuri toward the west during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Kammuri could approach Luzon in about four days.  Kammuri could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Luzon.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 121.2°W which put it about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Baguio, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the south-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

Former Typhoon Kalmaegi weakened to a tropical storm before it made landfall on the north coast of Luzon near Aparri.  Kalmaegi was under the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge produced strong southerly winds which blew toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear which weakened thunderstorms in the southern half of the circulation.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into the western part of the tropical storm.  The stronger thunderstorms were occurring northeast of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center in most parts of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.  A high pressure system over Asia was contributing to a bigger pressure gradient in the northwestern quadrant of Kalmaegi and winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in that area.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of northern Luzon.  The heavy rain was creating the potential for flash floods.  Kalmaegi will be steered toward the southwest by the high pressure system over Asia. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will pass near Baguio.  Kalmaegi will continue to weaken as it moves over northern Luzon.  It will move over the South China Sea northwest of Manila.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of Luzon and the flash flood threat will continue for several more days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fung-wong developed east of Luzon on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 127.8°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Fung-wong was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.  Tropical Storm Fung-wong is forecast to strengthen during the next 36 hours while it moves toward the Luzon Strait.

Tropical Storm Nakri Stalls West of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Nakri stalled west of the Philippines on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 116.8°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) west-southwest of Manila, Philippines.  Nakri was moving toward the south at 2 m.p.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.

Tropical Storm Nakri meandered slowly west of the Philippines on Thursday.  The structure of Nakri did not change a lot during the day.  There was a distinct low level center center of circulation.  Thunderstorms were forming on the south side of the center and the strongest winds were occurring in those thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Nakri.  Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms south of the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Nakri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Nakri mixed cooler water to the surface during the period when it meandered west of the Philippines, but it will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C when it starts moving.  Tropical Storm Nakri will move southeast of an upper level ridge over southeast Asia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Nakri from strengthening.  Nakri will likely become a typhoon on Friday or Saturday.

Tropical Storm Nakri has been in an area where the steering winds have been weak and it has moved little during the past 24 hours.  The ridge over southeast Asia will strengthen and it will steer Nakri toward the east during the next 72 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nakri could approach the coast of Vietnam in less than 72 hours.  Nakri is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches the coast of Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Halong was passing north of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 154.4°E which put it about 175 miles (280 km) north of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 968 mb.

Typhoon Halong Intensifies into Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Halong intensified into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 150.6°E which put it about 345 miles (560 km) southwest of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 180 m.p.h. (290 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 220 m.p.h. (355 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 900 mb.

Typhoon Halong intensified into one of the strongest tropical cyclones of 2019 over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.  There was a circular eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) at the center of Halong.  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 Halong.  Storm near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon along was compact and symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Halong was 42.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.6.

Typhoon Halong has probably reached its peak intensity.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  However, an upper level trough near Japan will approach Typhoon Halong from the northwest.  The trough will produce strong southwesterly winds which will start to increase the vertical wind shear.  More wind shear will cause Halong to weaken.

The upper level trough will start to steer Typhoon Halong toward the northeast in 12 to 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Halong will pass northwest of Minami Tori Shima on Thursday.  Even though it will weaken, Halong will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Nakri developed over the South China Sea between the Philippines and Vietnam on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 116.0°E which put it about 380 miles (615 km) west of Manila, Philippines.  Nakri was moving toward the northeast 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 998 mb.

Although Tropical Storm Nakri is currently moving toward the northeast, it is forecast to move back toward the west later this week.  Nakri will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Tropical Storm Nakri could strengthen into a typhoon before it reaches the coast of Vietnam.