Tag Archives: Honshu

Typhoon Mindulle Passes South of Tokyo

Typhoon Mindulle passed south of Tokyo on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 31.1°N and longitude 140.0°E which put it about 340 miles (545 km) south of Tokyo, Japan. Mindulle was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/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 969 mb.

The core of Typhoon Mindulle passed well to the south of Tokyo on Thursday. However, the circulation around Typhoon Mindulle was so large, that bands of showers and thunderstorms on the northern periphery of Mindulle were bringing gusty winds and rain to parts of Honshu. Winds to typhoon force extended out 130 miles (210 km) on the eastern side of Typhoon Mindulle. Winds to typhoon force extended out 75 miles in the western half of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 37.6 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.5.

Typhoon Mindulle weakened as it moved over cooler water and into a region where westerly winds in the upper levels caused more vertical wind shear. A larger eye was present at the center of Mindulle, but breaks were developing in the ring of thunderstorms around the eye. The upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes were beginning to affect the structure of Typhoon Mindulle. Those winds were blowing toward the top of Mindulle’s circulation and they were causing increasing vertical wind shear. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and east of the center of the typhoon. Bands south and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The combination of cooler water and more wind shear was causing Typhoon Mindulle to start a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The westerly winds in the upper levels will steer Typhoon Mindulle quickly toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Mindulle will pass well to the east of Honshu and Hokkaido. Bands on the northern side of Typhoon Mindulle could bring gusty winds and heavy rain to coastal parts of northern Honshu and eastern Hokkaido. Big waves will affect shipping southeast of Japan. Mindulle will weaken gradually during the next 48 hours while it makes a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Chanthu Brings Gusty Winds and Rain to Japan

Tropical Storm Chanthu brought gusty winds and rain to parts of Japan on Friday. At 6:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Chanthu was located at latitude 33.7°N and longitude 130.6°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) east of Fukuoka, Japan. Chanthu was moving toward the east-northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Chanthu brought gusty winds to northern Kyushu and western Honshu on Friday. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Chanthu. The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Chanthu’s circulation that were over water and in the mountains of western Japan. The heaviest rain was falling on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Chanthu.

Tropical Storm Chanthu will be steered quickly toward the east-northeast by the westerly winds in the middle latitudes. Tropical Storm Chanthu will move across Honshu during the next two days. The center of Tropical Storm Chanthu could be near Kyoto in 24 hours and near Tokyo in 36 hours. The upper level westerly winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear and movement across land will cause Chanthu to weaken gradually during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Lupit Brings Rain to Japan

Tropical Storm Lupit brought rain to Japan on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Miyazaki, Japan. Lupit was moving toward the east-northeast at 26 m.p.h. (42 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the coast of Kyushu near Kagoshima on Sunday. Lupit was being steered quickly toward the east-northeast by an upper level trough near the Korean Peninsula. The trough was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lupit’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were affecting the distribution of rain in Tropical Storm Lupit. Most of the heavier rain was falling in bands north and east of the center of Lupit. The heavier rain was falling over Shikoku, northern Kyushu and southwestern Honshu. Bands south and west of the center of circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring in the southern half of Tropical Storm Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) on the south side of Lupit. The winds in the northern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

The trough near the Korean Peninsula will steer Tropical Storm Lupit quickly toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Lupit will move over the southern Sea of Japan. The center of Tropcial Storm Lupit could be near northern Honshu in 36 hours. Rain will spread over the rest of Honshu and Hokkaido during the next two days. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification. Lupit will move over water in the Sea of Japan where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level trough will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The lower part of Lupit’s circulation will also be disrupted while it passes over land. Tropical Storm Lupit is not likely to strengthen significantly and it could weaken if the center does not move over the Sea of Japan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Mirinae was moving eastward away from Japan. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 144.7°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) east-northeast of Tokyo, Japan. Mirinae was moving toward the northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Nepartak Strengthens East of Tokyo

Tropical Storm Nepartak strengthened east of Tokyo on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was located at latitude 35.4°N and longitude 142.3°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east of Tokyo, Japan. Nepartak was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Nepartak exhibited a structure a little more like a tropical cyclone on Monday night. Nepartak was embedded in the center of an upper level low. The center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was under the center of the upper level low and the circulation assumed a more circular shape. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Nepartak. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western side of Nepartak.

Tropical Storm Nepartak will move through an environment capable of supporting a tropical storm during the next 18 hours. Nepartak will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. Since Tropical Storm Nepartak is embedded at the center of an upper level low, the winds are blowing from the same direction at all levels in the troposphere. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Nepartak will likely maintain its intensity during the next 18 hours and it could strengthen a little more.

The upper level low and Tropical Storm Nepartak are forecast to drift toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Nepartak could make landfall on the northern coast of Honshu near Sendai in about 18 hours. Tropical Storm Nepartak will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Honshu. Nepartak already generated waves along the coast of Honshu and some Olympic events at coastal sites were postponed.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm In-Fa continued to drop heavy rain over parts of eastern China. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 119.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Shanghai, China. In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 982 mb.

Tropical Storm Dolphin Passes Southeast of Japan

Tropical Storm Dolphin passed southeast of Japan on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin was located at latitude 32.9°N and longitude 141.4°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Dolphin was moving toward the northeast at 19 m.p.h. (31 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 986 mb.

An upper level trough over eastern Asia steered Tropical Storm Dolphin quickly toward the northeast on Wednesday.  The trough carried Dolphin southeast of Tokyo.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles from the center of Dolphin.  The northern periphery of tropical storm Dolphin was bringing gustier winds to parts of the coast of Honshu.  Most of the rain falling in Tropical Storm Dolphin fell southeast of Honshu.

The upper level trough will carry Tropical Storm Dolphin east of Japan.  Although Dolphin is currently over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, the tropical storm will soon move over cooler water.  The upper level trough and the cooler water will cause Tropical Storm Dolphin to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next several days.

Tropical Storm Dolphin Forms South of Japan

Tropical Storm Dolphin formed south of Japan on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin was located at latitude 26.0°N and longitude 135.0°E which put it about 365 miles (590 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Dolphin was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 996 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed near the southern side of an area of thunderstorms south of Japan on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolphin.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolphin was still organizing.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southern half of Dolphin consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Dolphin will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level trough approaching Japan from the west will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Dolphin.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification of Dolphin.  The shear will limit intensification, but Tropical Storm Dolphin is likely to get stronger during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Dolphin will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Dolphin toward the north-northeast during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Dolphin will reach the westerly winds in the middle latitudes after that period and those winds will steer Dolphin more toward the northeast during the middle of the week.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Dolphin could approach the coast of Honshu near Tokyo in about 72 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi Strengthens to Equivalent of Major Hurricane over Marianas

Typhoon Bualoi strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Marianas on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 145.5°E which put it about 660 miles (1060 km) south-southeast of Iwo To.  Bualoi was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

Typhoon Bualoi continued to intensify quickly on Monday.  There was a small eye at the center of Bualoi.  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 Bualoi.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

The circulation around Typhoon Bualoi was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 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 Bualoi was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.1.  Typhoon Bualoi was capable of causing localized major damage.  The core of Bualoi where the strongest winds were occurring passed north of Saipan.

Typhoon Bualoi will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon for another 24 to 36 hours.  Bualoi 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.  Bualoi could strengthen during the next 24 hours.  If an inner rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause the typhoon to start to weaken.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the western end of high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Bualoi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  The typhoon will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Bualoi will move away from the Northern Marianas.  Conditions should improve when Bualoi gets farther away.  Typhoon Bualoi could be near Iwo To in about 60 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Neoguri was moving south of Honshu.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 32.4°N and longitude 137.6°E which put it about 285 miles (460 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 997 mb.  The center of Tropical Storm Neoguri is likely to pass south of Tokyo during in about 12 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi Strengthens as it Approaches the Marianas

Typhoon Bualoi strengthened as it approached the Marianas on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 147.8°E which put it about 175 miles (285 km) east-southeast of Saipan.  Bualoi was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

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

Typhoon Bualoi strengthened quickly on Sunday.  A small circular eye developed at the center of Bualoi.  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 the typhoon.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from Bualoi in all directions.

The circulation around Typhoon Bualoi was relatively small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (215 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bualoi was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 26.3.  Bualoi was capable of causing localized serious damage.

Typhoon Bualoi will move through an environment favorable for intensification for another 36 to 48 hours.  Bualoi 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 Bualoi will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific.  The high will steer Bualoi toward the northwest during the next 48 hours.  The typhoon will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Bualoi could pass near Saipan in about 12 hours.  If the center passes near or over Saipan, then there will be winds of typhoon force.  However, since the circulation around Bualoi is fairly small, if the typhoon passes north of Saipan, it will receive much weaker winds.  Typhoon Bualoi could be near Iwo To in less than three days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Neoguri was moving toward Honshu.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 29.5°N and longitude 133.6°E which put it about 600 miles (965 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the north-northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 989 mb.  Tropical Storm Neoguri could pass close to the coast of Honshu near Tokyo in about 24 hours.

Neoguri Strengthens to Typhoon South of Okinawa, Bualoi Prompts Watches for Marianas

Former Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened into a typhoon south of Okinawa on Saturday and Tropical Storm Bualoi prompted watches for the Marianas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 128.1°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) south of Okinawa.  Neoguri was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 965 mb.

Typhoon Neoguri strengthened rapidly on Saturday.  An eye formed at the center of circulation 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 Neoguri.  There were more bands of thunderstorms in the northern half of the typhoon.  The circulation around Typhoon Neoguri was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center.

Typhoon Neoguri will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days.  Neoguri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there will be enough energy in the ocean to support intensification.  However, an upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Typhoon Neoguri.  Those winds will produce moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will be strong enough to cause Neoguri to weaken.  Since the circulation around the typhoon is small, it could weaken more rapidly if the upper level winds get stronger.

The upper level trough over China will steer Typhoon Neoguri toward the northeast during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Neoguri will pass east of the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa during the next 36 hours.  It could approach Honshu in about 48 hours.  Typhoon Neoguri will likely be a tropical storm by the time it approaches Honshu.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 22W rapidly strengthened into Tropical Storm Bualoi.  Bualoi had almost strengthened into a typhoon by Saturday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 11.8°N and longitude 150.8°E which put it about 455 miles (730 km) east of Guam.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/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 985 mb.

Typhoon Watches were in effect for Rota, Tinian and Saipan.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Guam.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Bualoi organized quickly on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of circulation.  Microwave satellite images indicated that an eye could be forming.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Bualoi.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Bualoi 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.  Bualoi will strengthen into a typhoon on Sunday and it could eventually intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Bualoi will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next day or two.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bualoi could reach the Marianas in 36 hours.  Bualoi will very likely be a typhoon when it reaches the Marianas.  The center of Bualoi could pass near Tinian and Saipan.  It could be near Iwo To in about four days.

Typhoon Hagibis Brings Wind and Rain to Honshu

Typhoon Hagibis brought wind and rain to Honshu on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Hagibis was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 140.8°E which put it about 50 miles south of Iwaki, Japan.  Hagibis was moving toward the north-northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 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.

The center of Typhoon Hagibis made landfall on the coast of Honshu on the Izu Peninsula southeast of Tokyo on Saturday.  The center of Hagibis moved quickly across the Tokyo metropolitan area toward Mito, Japan.  Typhoon Hagibis brought strong winds to coastal areas of Honshu.  A weather station at Tokyo International Airport in Haneda measured a sustained wind speed of 77 m.p.h. (124 km/h).  Rainbands on the northern side of Hagibis dropped heavy rain over the Tokyo metropolitan area.  Rainfall rates at some weather stations approached an inch (0.3 meters) per hour.  Flash floods occurred as the water from heavy rain ran off.  The rain also caused landslides on some steeper slopes.  Conditions will improve around Honshu as Typhoon Hagibis moves quickly away from Japan.  The heavy rain will end soon and the wind speed will gradually decrease.