Tag Archives: 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.

Malou Strengthens to a Typhoon South-southwest of Iwo To

Former Tropical Storm Malou strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. 145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Malou intensified to a typhoon on Tuesday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Malou and an eye appeared intermittently on satellite images. A broken ring of 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 Malou’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (270 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge south of Japan. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The upper level ridge will enhance divergence which will cause the surface pressure to decrease. Typhoon Malou is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. Malou could intensify rapidly if an inner core with an eye and a complete eyewall develops.

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 24 hours. Typhoon Malou will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To. Malou will be capable of causing serious damage on Iwo To. Heavy rain could also cause flash floods.

Tropical Storm Malou Forms West of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Malou formed west of the Marianas on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Malou was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 138.1°E which put it about 515 miles (830 km) west-northwest of Saipan. Malou was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1003 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas strengthened on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Malou. The circulation around Tropical Storm Malou was still organizing. There was a broad center of circulation, but there were not many thunderstorms near the center of Malou. Several long rainbands were revolving around the broad center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern half of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) on the eastern side of Malou. The winds in the western half of Malou’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge near the Marianas. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Malou is likely to intensify steadily during the next 48 hours. Malou could strengthen to a typhoon in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Malou will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Malou toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm Malou will turn toward the northeast after it moves around the western end of the ridge. On its anticipated track Malou could approach Iwo To in three days. Malou could be a typhoon when it approaches Iwo To.

Typhoon Mindulle Strengthens Back to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Mindulle strengthened back to the equivalent of a major hurricane west-southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 135.6°E which put it about 390 miles (630 km) west-southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Typhoon Mindulle strengthened back to the equivalent of a major hurricane after it completed several Eyewall Replacement Cycles. A large circular eye with a diameter of 45 miles (75 km) was present at the center of Typhoon Mindulle. 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 Mindulle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Mindulle grew even larger after it completed the Eyewall Replacement Cycles. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 235 miles (380 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 22.1. The Hurricane size Index (HSI) was 27.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 49.5.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment capable of sustaining a powerful typhoon during the next 36 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle could strengthen gradually during the next 36 hours.

Typhoon Mindulle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high pressure system will steer Mindulle toward the north during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Mindulle will start to move toward the northeast after it moves around the western end of the high. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle will pass west of Iwo To during the next 24 hours. Mindulle cold be south of Tokyo in 48 hours.

Typhoon Mindulle Develops Concentric Eyewalls

Large Typhoon Mindulle developed concentric eyewalls southwest of Iwo To on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 136.4°E which put it about 445 miles (720 km) southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Typhoon Mindulle developed concentric eyewalls on Sunday when the inner end of a rainband wrapped around an existing eye and eyewall. When the larger outer eyewall formed, much of the low level convergence of air shifted to the outer eyewall. The inner eyewall began to weaken because there was less low level convergence into it. Since the strongest winds were occurring in the existing inner eyewall, the maximum wind speed decreased when it weakened. The inner eyewall was still present, although it was much weaker. There was a break in the northwestern part of the outer eyewall. The existence of the two eyewalls was disrupting the inner core of Typhoon Mindulle.

The ongoing Eyewall Replacement Cycle was causing the circulation around Typhoon Mindulle to get larger. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (330 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 23.6. The Hurricane size Index (HSI) was 23.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.8.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment capable of sustaining a powerful typhoon during the next 36 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The ongoing Eyewall Replacement Cycle will likely cause Typhoon Mindulle to weaken during the next 12 hours. If the inner eyewall dissipates and the outer eyewall becomes more well developed, then Mindulle could strengthen again. Typhoon Mindulle will move slowly. The strong winds in Mindulle could mix cooler water to the surface. Cooler water and an Eyewall Replacement Cycle could limit the potential for Typhoon Mindulle to intensify.

Typhoon Mindulle 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 Mindulle slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be west of Iwo To in 48 hours. Mindulle could be south of Tokyo in four days.

Typhoon Mindulle Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Mindulle rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 136.8°E which put it about 510 miles (825 km) southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 Mindulle continued to intensify rapidly over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Saturday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (29 km) was present at the center of Mindulle. 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 Mindulle. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large amounts of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Mindulle was more than twice as large as the circulation of Hurricane Sam which was over the Atlantic Ocean. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 210 miles (340 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 54.4.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment capable of sustaining a powerful typhoon during the next 36 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle may be near its peak intensity. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That structure would start an eyewall replacement cycle that could cause Typhoon Mindulle to weaken. Typhoon Mindulle will move slowly. The strong winds in Mindulle could mix cooler water to the surface. That would also cause Mindulle to weaken.

Typhoon Mindulle 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 Mindulle slowly toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be west of Iwo To in three days.

Typhoon Mindulle Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Mindulle rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 137.3°E which put it about 525 miles (850 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 Mindulle rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Saturday. A circular eye was present at the center of Mindulle. 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 Mindulle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large amounts of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Mindulle was about twice as large as the circulation of Hurricane Sam which was over the Atlantic Ocean. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.1.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That structure would start an eyewall replacement cycle that could cause Typhoon Mindulle to weaken.

Typhoon Mindulle 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 Mindulle slowly toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be west of Iwo To in three or four days.

Mindulle Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Mindulle strengthened to a typhoon south-southwest of Iwo To on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 138.1°E which put it about 565 miles (910 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Mindulle strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday night. A circular eye developed at the center of Typhoon Mindulle. 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 Mindulle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle will continue to intensify during the next 48 hours. Mindulle could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Mindulle 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 Mindulle slowly toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be southwest of Iwo To by the end of the weekend.

Typhoon Champi Brings Wind and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) west of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Bands of showers and thunderstorms on the eastern side of Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. Although the center of Champi was passing west of Iwo To, the circulation around the typhoon was producing gusty winds and rain over the island. The core of Typhoon Champi was passing west of Iwo To. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Champi. However, winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Champi will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan. The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Champi could maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours. The vertical wind shear will increase on Saturday, when Champi moves closer to the upper level trough. Typhoon Champi will weaken when the shear increases. Champi will also move over cooler water by Sunday.

The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Champi toward the northeast during the weekend. On its anticipated track Champi will move away from Iwo To on Saturday. Typhoon Champi could be southeast of Tokyo in 30 hours.