Tag Archives: Laos

Khanun Intensifies Into a Typhoon Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified into a typhoon southeast of Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 114.2°W which put it about 170 miles (275 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Khanun became much more well organized on Saturday.  A small circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  A tight ring of strong thunderstorms formed around the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Khanun.  There were many more showers and thunderstorms in the western half of the circulation.  The storms in the core of Khanun were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 250 miles (400 km) from the center.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment favorable for intensification for about another 12 to 18 hours.  Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge north of Typhoon Khanun is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The easterly winds are causing some vertical wind shear, but the shear is not strong enough to prevent intensification.  The circulation of Typhoon Khanun will interact with land in 12 to 18 hours and that interaction should halt further intensification.

The ridge north of Khanun has been steering the typhoon toward the west-northwest.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen on Sunday and it will steer Typhoon Khanun more toward the west.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Khanun will pass south of Hong Kong and Macao on Sunday.  Khanun will approach the south coast of China near Zhanjiang in 12 to 18 hours.  Typhoon Khanun will bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern China west of Hong Kong and Macao.  The heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations.  Typhoon Khanun will be weaker when it moves over the Gulf of Tongking in about 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Khanun Forms Near Luzon

Tropical Storm Khanun formed near northern Luzon on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 121.6°W which put it about 240 miles (390 km) north of Manila, Philippines.  Khanun was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 994 mb.

A center of circulation developed near the surface in an area of thunderstorms on Thursday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Khanun.  The circulation of Tropical Storm Khanun was still organizing.  The center of Khanun moved across northern Luzon and the passage over land interrupted the development of the circulation.  Despite the passage over land, a primary rainband wrapped around the western side of the circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms developed in the western half of the circulation.  The rainbands were weaker in the eastern half of Khanun, especially in the part of the circulation still over northern Luzon.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea.  Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The tropical storm is moving under the western half of an upper level ridge.  The ridge is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it should not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Khanun from intensifying.  Khanun should start to strengthen once the center move farther west of Luzon.  Tropical Storm Khanun is forecast to become a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Khanun is moving south of a ridge which is steering the tropical storm toward the west.  A generally westward motion is expected to continue during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Khanun could approach Hainan Island in about 48 hours.  Khanun is likely to be a typhoon at that time.

Typhoon Doksuri Near Landfall in Vietnam, Talim Threatens Japan

Typhoon Doksuri neared a landfall in Vietnam on Thursday night while Typhoon Talim posed a threat to Japan.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 107.3°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) east-southeast of Vinh, Vietnam.  Doksuri was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (220 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Doksuri intensified rapidly as approached the coast of Vietnam on Thursday.  An eye appeared that the center of circulation and a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out over 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Doksuri will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam between Ky Anh and Hoa Lac in a few hours.  Doksuri will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Vietnam.  The heavy rain could cause flash flooding.   Winds blowing toward the coast will cause a significant storm surge of ten feet (three meters) near where the center makes landfall.  Heavy rain will fall over parts of Laos and Thailand when Doksuri moves farther inland.

Typhoon Talim weakened as it stalled southwest of Japan on Thursday.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Talim was located at latitude 27.8°N and longitude 124.5°E which put it about 500 miles (800 km) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan.  Talim was moving toward the north-northeast at 3 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

Typhoon Talim appeared to pull drier air in around the southern side of the circulation.  Little movement of Typhoon Talim may have also allowed the winds to mix cooler water to the surface.  The drier and and cooler water caused many of the thunderstorms in the southern half of the circulation.  Strong thunderstorms were still occurring in the northern half of the circulation.  An upper level trough will approach Talim from the west and the trough will start to steer Talim toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Talim could approach Kyushu within 48 hours.

Typhoon Talim Strengthens West of Okinawa, Doksuri Moves Closer to Vietnam

Powerful Typhoon Talim strengthened west of Okinawa on Wednesday, while Typhoon Doksuri moved closer toward Vietnam.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Talim was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 210 miles (335 km) west of Okinawa.  Talim was moving toward north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 937 mb.

Talim evolved into a large powerful typhoon on Wednesday.  A large circular eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) developed at the center of Typhoon Talim.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in those storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Talim.  The thunderstorms in the core of Talim were producing upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Talim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak over the core of Talim, but there are stronger westerly winds north of the typhoon.  Talim could strengthen some more during the next 24 hours.  However, the stronger upper level winds will increase the vertical wind shear on Friday and the typhoon will start to weaken when that happens.

Typhoon Talim is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge, which is steering the typhoon toward the north-northwest.  Typhoon Talim will move north on Thursday as it rounds the western end of the ridge.  The westerly winds north of Talim will turn the typhoon toward the northeast on Friday.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Talim could approach Kyushu in two or three days.

Tropical Storm Doksuri strengthened on Wednesday as it moved closer to Vietnam.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 112.2°E which put it about 470 miles (760 km) east-southeast of Vinh, Vietnam.  Doksuri was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 978 mb.

The circulation of Doksuri became much more organized on Wednesday.  A primary rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be developing.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and began to revolved around the core of Doksuri.  Thunderstorms round the core were generating upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Doksuri will be moving through an environment that will be favorable for intensification on Thursday.  Doksuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge over eastern Asia is producing easterly winds which are causing some vertical wind shear over Doksuri.  The wind shear may slow intensification, but it will not stop it.

The ridge north of Doksuri is steering the typhoon toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Doksuri is forecast to pass south of Hainan Island.  Typhoon Doksuri could approach the coast of Vietnam in a little over 24 hours.  Doksuri could bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Vietnam.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Typhoon Talim Nears Ryuku Islands

Typhoon Talim neared the Ryukyu Islands late on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Talim was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 126.3°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) east of Ishigaki, Japan.  Talim was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

A large circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Talim on Tuesday.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in those storms.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  The entire circulation became much more circular and symmetrical.  The thunderstorms in the core of Talim were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Talim will move through an environment favorable for intensification for several more days.  Talim is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge northeast of Talim is producing easterly winds that are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are not as strong as the were 24 hours ago and the vertical wind shear has decreased.  Typhoon Talim is likely to intensify further during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Typhoon Talim is moving near the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the northwest.  Talim is expected to turn toward the north as it rounds the western end of the ridge.  In 24 to 48 hours Talim will begin to be affected by westerly winds from the middle latitudes.  Those winds will cause Typhoon Talim to turn toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Talim will move across the Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday.  It looks like the center and strongest part of Typhoon Talim will move between Ishigaki and Okinawa.  Typhoon Talim will bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands.  The core of Typhoon Talim is forecast to pass west of Okinawa before it turns northeast toward the larger islands of Japan.

Elsewhere in Western North Pacific, Tropical Storm Doksuri was slowly intensifying as it moved west of the Philippines.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Doksuri was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 116.6°E which put it about 760 miles (1225 km) east-southeast of Vinh, Vietnam.  Doksuri was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 995 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Doksuri became more organized on Tuesday.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms formed and began to revolve around the center or circulation.  Storms near the core began to generate upper level divergence.  Tropical Storm Doksuri will be moving through a favorable environment.  Doksuri will move over warm Sea Surface Temperatures and through and area where the upper level winds are not too strong.  Tropical Storm Doksuri is likely to intensify and it could eventually strengthen into a typhoon.  Tropical Storm Doksuri is forecast to continue moving  toward the west.  On its anticipated track Doksuri could be near Hainan Island in 48 hours and it could approach the coast of Vietnam in about three days.

Tropical Storm Sonca Near Landfall in Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Sonca neared a landfall on the coast of Vietnam on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Sonca was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 108.2°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) east-northeast of Hue, Vietnam.  Sonca was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 991 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Sonca is fairly small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  A subtropical ridge north of Sonca is steering the tropical storm toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue for another 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Sonca will make landfall north of Hue, Vietnam in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Sonca will bring gusty winds, locally heavy rain and the potential for floods when it makes landfall.  Sonca will continue to move inland over central Vietnam, central Laos and northeastern Thailand.  Sonca could continue to produce locally heavy rain over those areas as it moves inland and weakens.

Elsewhere in the Western North Pacific the circulations of Typhoon Noru and Tropical Storm Kulap are interacting east-southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 25.9°N and longitude 157.0°E which put it about 1330 miles (2150 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Noru was moving toward the east at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 95 m.p.h. (155 km/h) and there were gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Kulap was located at latitude 32.9°N and longitude 155.8°E which put it about 1095 miles (1765 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Kulap was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

Typhoon Noru and Tropical Storm Kulap are close enough to each other to rotate cyclonically around a point between them in what is called the Fujiwhara effect.  Typhoon Noru is the much larger and stronger circulation and upper level outflow from Noru is causing vertical wind shear over Tropical Storm Kulap.  If the two tropical cyclones move closer to each other, it is possible that the circulation of Kulap could be absorbed by the larger, more powerful circulation of Typhoon Noru.

Tropical Storm Talas Makes Landfall in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Talas made landfall on the coast of Vietnam on Sunday.  Talas was bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Talas was located at latitude18.6°N and longitude 105.5°E which put the center near Vinh, Vietnam.  Talas was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (27 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Talas strengthened before it made landfall in Vietnam.  A primary band wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms formed near the center of Talas as the tropical storm approached the coast of Vietnam.  The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Talas were occurring in thunderstorms over the South China Sea.  Tropical Storm Talas will weaken as it moves farther inland.

Tropical Storm Talas was bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.  Locally heavy rain could cause flooding, which will be the greatest risk as Tropical Storm Talas moves farther inland.

Tropical Storm Talas Forms East of Vietnam

Tropical Storm Talas formed east of Vietnam on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Talas was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 110.1°E which put it about 170 miles (270 km) east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Talas was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 996 mb.

A large area of showers and thunderstorms persisted over the South China Sea for the past several days.  A distinct center of circulation began to develop in the northern part of the area of thunderstorms.  The Japan Meteorological Agency classified the system as Tropical Storm Talas on Saturday.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Talas is still organizing.  The center of rotation was near the northwestern edge of the area of thunderstorms.  Additional thunderstorms were beginning to form near the center of circulation.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were southwest of the center.  Bands of lighter showers were occurring in the remainder of Tropical Storm Talas.  Thunderstorms forming near the center of circulation were beginning to generate strong upper level divergence which was pumping out mass.

Tropical Storm Talas has about 24 hours to strengthen.  Talas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge north of Talas is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the tropical storm.  There is some vertical wind shear, but the shear appears to have diminished during the past few hours.  Since Tropical Storm Talas will be moving through an environment of very warm water and reduced vertical wind shear, it will likely strengthen during the next 24 hours.

A subtropical ridge north of Talas is steering the tropical storm toward the west and motion a little to the north of due west is forecast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Talas will pass south of Hainan Island.  Tropical Storm Talas will approach the coast of Vietnam near Vinh in about 24 hours.  Tropical Storm Talas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Central Vietnam when it makes landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Maarutha Strengthens Over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Maarutha strengthened over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maarutha was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 91.7°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) southwest of Sandoway, Burma.  Maarutha was moving toward the northeast at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 993 mb.

A primary rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of circulation.  The band was broken on the eastern side of the center.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the northern and eastern periphery of the circulation.  Thunderstorms in the primary rainband were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass out to the northeast of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Maarutha will be moving through an environment that will be moderately favorable for intensification during the next 12-24 hours.  Maarutha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge east of Maarutha is producing southwesterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the tropical cyclone.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Despite the vertical wind shear Tropical Cyclone Maarutha could intensify further before it makes landfall in Burma in 18 to 24 hours.

A subtropical ridge east of Maarutha is steering the tropical cyclone toward the northeast and that general motion is expected to continue for the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Maarutha will make landfall in Burma between Sittwe and Bassein near Sandoway.

Tropical Cyclone Maarutha will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Burma when it makes landfall.  Some storm surge is likely south of where the center makes landfall and the wind blows the water toward the coast.

Typhoon Sarika Making Landfall on Hainan Island

The center of Typhoon Sarika is making landfall on Hainan Island near Qionghai and Wanning.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Sarika was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 110.4°E which put it near Qionghai, China.  Sarika was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (18 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

The structure of Typhoon Sarika changed after it moved across the Philippines.  It developed a larger eye and more of the thunderstorms occurred in a primary rainband that wrapped around the western and southern parts of the circulation.  Sarika maintained that structure as it made landfall on Hainan Island, although were some indications in satellite imagery that they eye was contracting just prior to landfall.

Typhoon Sarika will weaken while the center passes over Hainan Island.  Sarika could be a tropical storm by the time the center emerges over the Gulf of Tongking.  The Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Tongking is near 31°C.  So, evaporation could provide another source of energy and moisture while the center is over water.

Typhoon Sarika is being steered toward the west-northwest by a subtropical ridge and that general motion is expected to continue for another day or so.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Sarika will spend the next few hours moving across Hainan Island.  Sarika could make another landfall over northern Vietnam and southern China in about 24 to 30 hours.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 11.5 for Typhoon Sarika.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.7.  These indices indicate that Typhoon Sarika is capable of causing regional, minor wind damage.  Sarika will also bring locally heavy which could cause floods over Hainan Island and parts of northern Vietnam and southern China.