Tag Archives: South China Sea

Convection Redevelops in Remnants of Jangmi

Upper level wind shear decreased over the remnants of Jangmi on Thursday and thunderstorms redeveloped on the western side of the circulation.  At 11:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of circulation of the remnants of Jangmi was located at latitude 5.8°N and longitude 112.0°E which put it about 360 miles northeast of Kuching, Malaysia on the island of Borneo and about 600 miles east of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.  The center of circulation was moving just slightly south of due west at 8 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. with gusts to 45 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

The subtropical ridge that was pushing strong southeasterly winds in the upper levels over the top of the remnants of Jangmi weakened slightly on Thursday.  As the upper level winds slowed down, it allowed more thunderstorms to develop around the western half of the circulation.  The increase of convection also increased the vertical extent of the circulation and created the potential for Jangmi to redevelop as a tropical cyclone.  The circulation is over Sea Surface Temperatures near 28°C, which provide sufficient energy to support a tropical cyclone.

As the circulation has grown taller, it has been steered more toward the west.  That pushed the center of circulation north of the northern tip of Borneo and kept it over the South China Sea.  Guidance suggests that the remnants of Jangmi will continue to move in a generally westerly direction which would take it toward Malaysia.

 

Jangmi Weakens over Sulu Sea

Increased vertical wind shear blew the tops off of thunderstorms and Tropical Storm Jangmi weakened to a tropical depression,  At 11:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Jangmi was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 120.8°E which put it about 150 miles north of Jolo, Philippines and about 300 miles east-northeast of Kudat, Malaysia on the northern end of Borneo.  Jangmi was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 40 m.p.h.

A subtropical ridge north of Jangmi intensified southeasterly winds in the upper levels and increased the wind shear over the top of the tropical storm.  The stronger upper level winds blew away the upper portions of thunderstorms and the circulation contained mainly shallower convection during the most recent 12 hours.  Recent satellite images show the redevelopment of some thunderstorms southwest of the center of circulation, but some wind shear continues.  Jangmi is over Sea Surface Temperatures that are warm enough to support some intensification, but that will not happen if the wind shear continues.  If Jangmi continues to move southwestward, interaction with the island of Borneo could weaken the circulation and possibly cause it to dissipate entirely.  If the center passes just west of Borneo, then some intensification may be possible, unless the wind shear remains too strong.

Since the circulation of Jangmi consisted mainly of shallower convection, it was steered toward the southwest by northeasterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  Even though a few thunderstorms have redeveloped, most of the convection is still shallow and Jangmi is likely to continue to be steered in a generally west-southwesterly direction.  The projected track could bring Jangmi or its remnants near the northern end of Borneo in 24-48 hours.

 

 

Tropical Storm Jangmi Moving across the Sulu Sea

Tropical Storm Jangmi moved across Mindanao and the center passed near Cebu.  It has now moved back over the open waters of the Sulu Sea.  At 11:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 121.0°E which put it about 320 miles south of Manila, about 200 miles east-northeast of Puerto Princesa and about 1300 miles east-northeast of Singapore.  Jangmi was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 60 m.p.h.

Thunderstorms are beginning to redevelop near the center of circulation now that it has moved back over water.  The low level center appears to be relatively intact after its passage over some of the islands in the southern Philippines.  Easterly winds in the upper levels are generating some wind shear, but there is well developed upper level outflow on the northern side of Jangmi.  It will be moving over warm Sea Surface Temperatures and some intensification is possible as it moves westward.

Jangmi is being steered to the west by a subtropical ridge located to its north.  The general westward motion is expected to continue in the short term.  Eventually, northeasterly winds are expected to push Jangmi in a more west-southwesterly direction over the next few days.  The projected track is expected to take the center across Palawan near Puerto Princesa in about 24 hours.  The west-southwesterly motion is expected to continue and it could take Jangmi in the general direction of Malaysia.

Jangmi could bring some locally heavy rainfall to parts of Palawan and some flooding and landslides are possible.