Tag Archives: Tokyo

Guchol Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Guchol weakened to a tropical storm over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Guchol was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 136.0°E which put it about 650 miles (1050 km) south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 984 mb.

Former Typhoon Guchol weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday when it moved into a less favorable environment. An upper level trough west of Japan produced westerly winds that blew toward the top of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear caused Guchol to weaken. There was no longer an eye at the center of Guchol’s circulation. Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Guchol. Bands in the western and southern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Guchol generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Guchol will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. The upper level trough west of Japan will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Guchol’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Guchol will continue to weaken as it moves over cooler water and is affected by moderate vertical wind shear. Guchol could make a transition to an extratropical cyclone early next week.

The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Guchol toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Guchol will pass south of Tokyo in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mawar Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Mawar brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mawar was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 127.5°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) southwest of Okinawa. Mawar was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 972 mb.

Former Typhoon Mawar weakened to a tropical storm as it moved closer to Okinawa on Thursday. Even though Mawar was a tropical storm, it still produced gusty winds and rain in Okinawa. A weather station in Naha measured a sustained wind speed of 41 m.p.h. (66 km/h). The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical in Tropical Storm Mawar. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands east and south of the center of Mawar. Bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Storm Mawar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of Mawar’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mawar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is west of Japan. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Mawar’s circulation. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Mawar will also pull drier air from Asia into the western part of its circulation. More vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Storm Mawar to gradually weaken.

The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Mawar toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Mawar will pass near Okinawa during the next few hours. Weather conditions in Okinawa will start to improve when Tropical Storm Mawar moves away later today. Mawar will pass south of Honshu after it moves away from Okinawa. Tropical Storm Mawar could pass south of Tokyo in less than 48 hours.

Typhoon Noru Makes Landfall in Central Vietnam

Typhoon Noru made landfall on the coast of central Vietnam near Da Nang on Tuesday evening. At 7:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Noru was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 108.1°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) north of Da Nang, Vietnam. Noru was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

The core of Typhoon Noru made landfall near Da Nang, Vietnam on Tuesday evening. The distribution of thunderstorms around Noru became asymmetrical as it approached the coast of Vietnam. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in the western half of Noru’s circulation. Typhoon Noru was moving under the southern part of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Noru’s circulation. Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Typhoon Noru. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Noru was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.1. Typhoon Noru was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Noru will move south of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Noru toward the west during the next 36 hours. Typhoon Noru will weaken as it moves farther inland. On its anticipated track Typhoon Noru will move across central Vietnam during the next 12 hours. Noru will move over southern Laos and eastern Thailand. The strongest winds will occur in the area around Da Nang and Hue. Typhoon Noru will drop locally heavy rain over central Vietnam, southern Laos and eastern Thailand. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kulap strengthened gradually southeast of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Kulap was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 145.2°E which put it about 395 miles (640 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Kulap was moving toward the northeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Talas Nears Japan

Tropical Storm Talas moved near Japan on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Talas was located at latitude 31.4°N and longitude 135.1°E which put it about 415 miles (670 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Talas was moving toward the north 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.

The circulation around a small low pressure system just south of Honshu strengthened on Thursday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Talas. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Talas was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Talas’ circulation. Bands in the rest of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Talas. The winds in the western side of Talas were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Talas will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Talas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over eastern Asia. The upper level trough will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Talas’ circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will be strong enough to prevent significant intensification.

The upper level trough over eastern Asia will steer Tropical Storm Talas quickly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Talas will be near Tokyo in 18 hours. Talas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Honshu. The small size of Talas’ circulation will limit the impact of the storm.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm 18W developed east of Luzon. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm 18W was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 132.1°E which put it about 640 miles (1030 km) east of Luzon. Tropical Storm 18W was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 997 mb. Tropical Storm 18W is forecast to move toward northern Luzon and to strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Ma-on Moves over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Ma-on moved over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 116.1°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Ma-on was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on maintained its intensity as it moved over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of Ma-on’s circulation. However, the distribution of thunderstorms in the rest of Tropical Storm Ma-on was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Ma-on. Bands in the eastern and northern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level ridge over China was producing east-northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Ma-on. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ma-on will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 29˚C. The upper level ridge over China will continue to cause vertical wind shear. If the vertical wind shear does not increase, then Tropical Storm Ma-on could strengthen during the next 24 hours. There is a chance Ma-on could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ma-on toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ma-on could be south of Hong Kong in 12 hours. The center of Ma-on could make landfall on the south coast of China near Yangjiang and Dianbai in 24 hours. Tropical Storm Ma-on will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern China. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Tokage was passing east of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Tokage was located at latitude 35.8°N and longitude 149.4°E which put it about 475 miles (770 km) east of Tokyo, Japan. Tokage was moving toward the north-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 961 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Ma-on brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 121.2°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Claveria, Philippines. Ma-on was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Luzon on Tuesday morning. The center of Ma-on made landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon east of Tuguegarao during Monday night. Tropical Storm Ma-on moved northwest across northern Luzon. Ma-on intensified before it made landfall and it was almost a typhoon at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Ma-on’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move through an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the South China Sea. Ma-on will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 29˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ma-on’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Ma-on is likely to strengthen to a typhoon during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ma-on toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ma-on will move away from northern Luzon later on Tuesday. Ma-on will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon until it moves farther away. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Ma-on could be south of Hong Kong in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Tokage intensified to a typhoon southeast of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Tokage was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 149.6°E which put it about 670 miles (1080 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Tokage was moving toward the north-northwest at 19 m.p.h. (30 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 979 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on Develops near Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Ma-on developed near northern Luzon on Sunday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 123.4°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Tuguegarao, Philippines. Ma-on was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 997 mb.

Former Tropical Depression 10W strengthened to Tropical Storm Ma-on just to the east of northern Luzon on Sunday night. The distribution of thunderstorms in Ma-on continued to be asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were in bands in the southern half of Ma-on’s circulation. The bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. A strong upper level ridge over China was producing strong northerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Ma-on. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Ma-on will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. The upper level ridge over China will continue to produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Ma-on’s circulation. However, Tropical Storm Ma-on could strengthen during the next 12 hours. Ma-on will weaken when the center passes over northern Luzon, but it could strengthen again over the South China Sea later this week.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ma-on toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ma-on will hit northern Luzon in 12 hours. Ma-on will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Luzon. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Tokage formed southeast of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Tokage was located at latitude 25.5°N and longitude 151.6°E which put it about 1010 miles (1635 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Tokage was moving toward the north at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Meari Brings Rain to Tokyo

Tropical Storm Meari brought rain to Tokyo on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Meari was located at latitude 35.4°N and longitude 139.2°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Meari was moving toward the northeast 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Meari brought rain to the region around Tokyo on Saturday morning. The heaviest rain was falling in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Meari’s circulation. Much of the heavier rain was falling south and east of Tokyo. Bands in the northern and western parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring along the coast of Honshu southeast of Tokyo.

Tropical Storm Meari was moving under the southern part of an upper level trough centered northwest of Japan. The upper level trough was producing southwesterly winds that were steering Meari toward the northeast. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Meari will move east of Japan during the next 24 hours. The rain over Honshu will diminish when Meari moves away from the coast.

Tropical Storm Meari will move through an environment unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next several days. Meari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26˚C. The upper level trough will continue to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Meari’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The combination of colder Sea Surface Temperatures and moderate vertical wind shear could cause Tropical Storm Meari to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Meari could strengthen a little during the transition to an extatropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Meari Forms South of Japan

Tropical Storm Meari formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Thursday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Meari was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 136.0°E which put it about 500 miles (805 km) south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Meari was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 an area of low pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan strengthened on Thursday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Meari. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Meari was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Meari’s circulation. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Storm Meari was under the southern part of a narrow upper level ridge south of Japan that extended from east to west. The upper level ridge was producing northerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Meari. The winds were causing vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Meari. The wind in the other parts of Meari’s circulation was blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Meari will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Meari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. The narrow upper level ridge south of Japan will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear during the next 12 hours. The wind shear will inhibit intensification during the next few hours. Tropical Storm Meari will move under the axis of the upper level ridge on Friday. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and the vertical wind shear will decrease on Friday. Tropical Storm Meari will be in an environment favorable for intensification while it is under the axis of the ridge.

Tropical Storm Meari will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Meari toward the north during the next 18 hours. Meari will move toward the northeast later on Friday after it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Meari will approach the coast of Honshu near Tokyo in 36 hours. Meari could be a strong tropical storm when it nears Tokyo. Tropical Storm Meari will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Tokyo on Saturday.

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.