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Typhoon Surigae Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 10.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 220 miles (330 km) northwest of Palau. Surigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 944 mb.

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified on Friday as it moved farther away from Palau. A small circular eye was present 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 Surigae. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions. The removal of mass allowed the pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Surigae increased in size on Friday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.9. Surigae was a large, dangerous typhoon capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae will likely continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Surigae to weaken.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Surigae toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. After that time Typhoon Surigae will move more toward the north when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Typhoon Surigae could be east of the Philippines in 36 hours.

Surigae Strengthens to Typhoon North of Palau

Former Tropical Storm Surigae strengthened to a typhoon north of Palau on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 8.9°N and longitude 134.2°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) north of Palau. Surigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. A weather station at the international airport on Palau reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 74 m.p.h. (118 km/h). There were reports of trees down and of wind damage on Palau.

Typhoon Surigae was intensifying more rapidly on Thursday night. Microwave satellite images showed an eye forming at the center of Surigae. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The strongest rainbands were still in the western half of Typhoon Surigae, but more thunderstorms were developing in bands in the eastern half of the circulation. Storms near the center of Surigae were producing strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Typhoon Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae will continue to intensify and it could strengthen rapidly once an inner core is fully formed. Surigae could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane in 24 hours.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days. The high will steer Surigae toward the west-northwest during the next two days. After that time Typhoon Surigae will move more toward the north when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Typhoon Surigae could be east of the Philippines in 48 hours. Conditions on Palau will improve gradually on Friday when Surigae moves farther away.

Tropical Storm Surigae Strengthens Northeast of Palau

Tropical Storm Surigae strengthened northeast of Palau on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Surigae was located at latitude 9.1°N and longitude 136.2°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) west-southwest of Yap. Serigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 988 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Surigae strengthened on Wednesday, but the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Surigae. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms west of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Surigae.

Tropical Storm Surigae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Surigae will continue to intensify and it could strengthen to a typhoon within 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Surigae will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days. The high will steer Surigae toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Surigae will pass north of Palau during the next 36 hours. Surigae could be east of the Philippines by late this week.

Tropical Storm Surigae Develops Southwest of Yap

Tropical Storm Surigae developed southwest of Yap on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Surigae was located at latitude 8.2°N and longitude 137.1°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) west-southwest of Ngulu. Serigae was moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

Former Tropical Depression 02W strengthened southwest of Yap on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Surigae. The circulation around Tropical Storm Surigae exhibited more organization on satellite images. Thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation. More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Surigae. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Surigae will be in an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will be under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The circulation around Tropical Storm Surigae will continue to get better organized. Surigae will intensify and it could strengthen to a typhoon within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Surigae will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days. The high will steer Surigae toward the northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Surigae will pass north of Palau. Bands on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Surigae could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Yap. Persistent heavy rain could cause flash floods. Surigae could be east of the Philippines by late this week.

Weakening Tropical Depression Nuri Makes Landfall West of Hong Kong

A weakening Tropical Depression Nuri made landfall on the coast of China west of Hong Kong on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Nuri was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) west of Hong Kong.  Nuri was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 1001 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Nuri weakened to a tropical depression as it approached the coast of China on Saturday night.  An upper level ridge centered over China produced northeasterly winds which blew toward the top of former Tropical Storm Nuri.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and they blew the tops off thunderstorms in the eastern half of Nuri.  The wind shear blocked upper level divergence to the east of the tropical storm and the surface pressure increased.  The wind speed decreased and Nuri was downgraded to a tropical depression as it neared the coast of China.

Tropical Depression Nuri moved around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high steered Nuri toward the northwest.  Tropical Depression Nuri made landfall on the coast of China west of Hong Kong.  The center of Nuri crossed the coast between Dianbai and Yangjiang.  The circulation around Tropical Depression Nuri will continue to weaken as it moves farther inland.  Nuri will bring some heavy rain showers to parts of southeastern China before it dissipates.

Tropical Storm Nuri Develops of South China Sea

Tropical Storm Nuri developed over the South China Sea on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Nuri was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 116.4°E which put it about 360 miles (580 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Nuri was moving toward the west-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 998 mb.

The wind speed around former Tropical Depression 02W increased on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nuri.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Nuri was asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern and northern portions of Tropical Storm Nuri consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms near the center of Nuri began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Nuri will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge centered over eastern China.  The ridge will produce northeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification.  The wind shear could also cause the distribution of thunderstorms to remain asymmetrical.  Tropical Storm Nuri is likely to get stronger during the next 24 hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Nuri will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Nuri toward the northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Nuri will approach the coast of China southwest of Hong Kong in about 24 hours.  Nuri will drop locally heavy rain over parts of southeastern China.

Tropical Depression Develops West of Luzon

A tropical depression developed west of Luzon on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression 02W was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 119.2°E which put it about 135 miles (215 km) northwest of Manila, Philippines.  The depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

An area of low pressure moved west of Luzon on Thursday night and several weather agencies classified the system as a tropical depression.  The circulation around Tropical Depression 02W was not well organized.  There were a number of fragmented bands of showers and thunderstorms revolving around the center of the depression.  The strongest thunderstorms were in bands west and north of the center.  Bands east of the center of circulation were still over the Philippines and those bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression 02W will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30.5°C.  It will move under the southwestern portion of an upper level ridge centered northeast of Taiwan.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the depression.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Depression 02W is likely to intensify into a tropical storm during the next 24 hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Depression 02W will move around the southwestern end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer the depression toward the northwest during the next 36 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression 02W will approach the coast of China west of Hong Kong in about 48 hours.  It will likely be a tropical storm at that time.

Tropical Cyclone Pola Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Pola strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Wednesday.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Pola was located at latitude 20.2°S and longitude 177.6°W which put it about 170 miles (275 km) west-northwest of Nuku’alofa, Tonga.  Pola was moving toward the south-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 969 mb.

There was a small, circular eye at the center of Tropical Cyclone Pola.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the core of Pola were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Pola.  The strongest rainbands were occurring in the northwestern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southeastern half of Pola consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Pola will move through an environment favorable for support a strong tropical cyclone for another day or so.  Pola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will not be much vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Pola could strengthen during the next 24 hours.  Pola will stat to move over cooler water on Thursday.  An upper level trough will approach Tropical Cyclone Pola from the west.  The trough will produce northwesterly winds which will increase the vertical wind shear.  A combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Pola to weaken.  Tropical Cyclone Pola could make a transition to an extratropical cyclone later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Pola will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Pola toward the south-southwest during the next day or two.  Eventually, the upper level trough will turn Tropical Cyclone Pola toward the southeast.  On its anticipated track the core of Pola and the strongest winds will pass west of Tonga.  Rainbands on the eastern side of the circulation could bring gusty winds and heavy rain at times to parts of Tonga.

Elsewhere, Typhoo Wutip continued to weaken west-northwest of the Marianas.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Wutip was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 370 miles (595 km) west-northwest of Guam.  Wutip was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 981 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Pola Organizes Quickly Between Fiji and Tonga

Tropical Cyclone Pola organized quickly between Fiji and Tonga on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Pola was located at latitude 18.8°S and longitude 176.7°W which put it about 185 miles (295 km) north-northwest of Nuku’alofa, Tonga.  Pola was moving toward the south at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A well organized low level center of circulation consolidated within a much larger area of showers and thunderstorms north of Tonga on Tuesday and the Fiji Meteorological Service classified the system as Tropical Cyclone Pola.  A small circular eye was beginning to appear at the center of circulation on some satellite images.  The eye was surrounded by a narrow ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the center of Pola were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Pola.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Pola will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Pola 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.  Tropical Cyclone Pola will intensify during the next day or so and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.  Pola will move over colder water and into a region where the upper level winds are stronger later this week and it will start to weaken at that time.

Tropical Cyclone Pola will move around the northwestern portion of a subtropical ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Pola in a southward direction.  On its anticipated track the core and strongest part of Tropical Cyclone Pola will pass west of Tonga.  The outer rainbands on the western side of the circulation could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeastern Fiji.  Rainbands on the eastern side of the circulation could also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Tonga.

Elsewhere, Typhoon Wutip was weakening west of the Marianas.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Wutip was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 345 miles (560 km) west-northwest of Guam.  Wutip was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Typhoon Wutip Strengthens to Equivalent of a Category 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Wutip strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.  At 5:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Wutip was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 140.1°E which put it about 300 miles (480 km) west-northwest of Guam.  Wutip was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 929 mb.

Typhoon Wutip completed an eyewall replacement cycle on Sunday and then it rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.  The inner eyewall dissipated completely and the outer eyewall contracted around a circular, symmetrical eye.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the new eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the core of Typhoon Wutip were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Wutip.

Winds to typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Wutip.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Wutip was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.6.

Typhoon Wutip will remain in an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon for another 12 to 24 hours.  Wutip will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  A band of stronger westerly winds north of the Philippines will approach Typhoon Wutip in another day or so.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase and the increased shear will cause Wutip to weaken.

Typhoon Wutip will move southwest of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge is forecast to steer Wutip in a west-northwesterly direction.  On its forecast track Typhoon Wutip will gradually move farther away from the Northern Marianas.