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Tropical Storm Jongdari Forms Southwest of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Jongdari formed southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jongdari was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 136.9°E which put it about 410 miles (665 km) southwest of Iwo To.  Jongdari was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 distinct low level center of circulation developed within former Tropical Depression 15W on Tuesday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jongdari.  The circulation of Jongdari was asymmetrical.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were forming in bands north of the center.  Bands south of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Stronger storms near the center were beginning to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the core of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Jongdari will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jongdari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there will be sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge where the winds are weaker and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Intensification could be slow at first while the circulation becomes more organized, but Jongdari could strengthen more quickly when the inner core becomes more well developed.  Tropical Storm Jongari could strengthen to a typhoon with 48 hours.  It could eventually intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Jongari will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge which will steer Jongari toward the northeast during the next two or three days.  When Jongari moves farther north, it will be affected by a second ridge located farther to the north.  The second ridge is forecast to strengthen and push Jongari more toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Jongari could reach Iwo To in about 48 hours.  It could be a typhoon at that time.  Jongari could approach Tokyo in about four days and it is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches Honshu.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Wokung was churning well southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Wokung was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 158.0°E which put it about 1250 miles (2015 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Wokung was moving toward the north-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 Wukong Forms Southeast of Japan

Tropical Storm Wukong formed southeast of Japan on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Wukong was located at latitude 29.0°N and longitude 159.0°E which put it about 1370 miles (2210 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Wukong was moving toward the north at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and the were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

A cluster of thunderstorms developed southeast of Japan during the weekend and a low level center of circulation formed near the southwestern edge of the cluster of storms.  However, strong upper level winds blowing from the southwest kept blowing the top of the circulation northeast of the low level center and the system was unable to develop.  The upper level winds slowed on Monday and a band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of circulation.  The Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Wukong.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Wukong organized quickly after the upper level winds weakened.   As mentioned above, a primary rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of circulation.  Storms in the primary rainband generated upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the north of the tropical storm.  Several other bands of showers and thunderstorms developed in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands south and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Wukong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next day or so.  Wukong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  Wukong is moving along the eastern portion of an upper level trough.  The trough is producing southwesterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  However, those winds weakened on Monday and they will not cause enough vertical wind shear to prevent further intensification.  Tropical Storm Wukong could strengthen into a typhoon during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Eventually, Wukong will move over cooler water and it will begin to weaken.

Tropical Storm Wukong is moving between an upper level trough to the west and an upper level ridge to the east.  The trough and ridge were combining to steer Wukong toward the north and a general northerly motion is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wukong will stay west of the larger islands of Japan.  Wukong could approach the Kuril Islands in about three days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific former Tropical Storm Ampil weakened to a tropical depression over land southeast of Beijing, China, Tropical Storm Son-tinh meandered near the coast of southeastern China and Tropical Depression 15W organized southwest of Iwo To, Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Ampil was located at latitude 38.8°N and longitude 117.6°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) southeast of Beijing, China.  Ampil was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55k km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.  Tropical Depression Ampil was still dropping locally heavy rain over parts of eastern China.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Son-tinh was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 109.0°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) southeast of Beihai, China.  Son-tinh was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.  Tropical Storm Son-tinh was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of southeastern China and Hainan Island.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression 15W was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 136.3°E which put it about 585 miles (945 km) southwest of Iwo To, Japan.  It was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.  The circulation of Tropical Depression 15W became more organized on Monday and it could eventually strengthen into a typhoon when it moves toward Iwo To later this week.

Tropical Storm Saola Speeding Toward Tokyo

Tropical Storm Saola sped toward Tokyo, Japan on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Saola was located at latitude 32.4°N and longitude 134.4°E which put it about 370 miles (595 km) west-southwest of Tokyo.  Saola was moving toward the northeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 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 979 mb.

Tropical Storm Saola was weakening and making a transition to an extratropical cyclone.  A primary band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the eastern side of the circulation.  There were other thinner bands of showers revolving around the core of the circulation.  Strong westerly winds in the upper levels were causing significant vertical wind shear which was tilting the upper part of the circulation toward the northeast.  Cooler drier air appeared to be flowing toward the western part of the circulation.

Westerly winds in the middle latitudes were steering Tropical Storm Saola quickly toward the northeast.  The center of Saola will pass south of Shikoku.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Saola will pass near Tokyo in about 12 hours.  Tropical Storm Saola will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Shikoku and central Honshu.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Saola Near Okinawa

The core of Typhoon Saola moved near Okinawa on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Saola was near latitude 26.2°N and longitude 128.2°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) south of Okinawa.  Saola was moving toward the north 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 979 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Saola became more well organized on Friday.   The primary rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of circulation.  A large eye was surrounded by a broken ring of showers and thunderstorms.  Low clouds and showers were scattered throughout the large eye.  Several other bands of showers and storms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Saola.  The rainbands were weaker on the northwestern side of Typhoon Saola and there appeared to be cooler, drier air on that side of the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center.

Typhoon Saola could be near its maximum intensity.  Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  However Typhoon Saola is near the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes and the vertical wind shear will increase on Saturday.  Typhoon Saola could strengthen a little more during the next six to twelve hours, but it will start to weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Typhoon Saola is moving around the western end of a ridge which is steering Saola toward the north.  When Typhoon Saola reaches the westerly winds of the middle latitudes, those winds will turn Saola toward the east-northeast.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Saola will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands.  The center of Typhoon Saola will be near southern Kyushu in about 12 hours and the center could pass near Tokyo in about 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Saola Strengthens, Moves Toward Okinawa

Tropical Storm strengthened on Thursday as it moved closer to Okinawa.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Saola was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 129.4°E which put it about 350 miles (570 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Saola was moving toward the north-northwest 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 987 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Saola exhibited more organization in recent hours.  For much of the past several days many of the showers and thunderstorms were in a single primary rainband that wrapped around the outer part of the circulation.  There were few showers or storms near and to the north of the center of circulation.  A broken ring of showers and thunderstorms began to develop around the center during the past few hours.  The ring could represent the initial formation of an eyewall.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms also began to form outside the core of Tropical Storm Saola.

Tropical Storm Saola will be moving through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The winds will be similar in all levels of the atmosphere and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Saola will intensify on Friday and it could become a typhoon.  After about 24 hours Tropical Storm Saola will reach the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes and the vertical wind shear will increase.  More wind shear will start to weaken Saola.

Tropical Storm Saola was moving the western end of a ridge which is steering the tropical storm toward the north-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for about another 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Saola will approach Okinawa in about 24 hours.  When Saola nears Okinawa, it will encounter the westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  Those winds will turn Saola toward the northeast.  Tropical Storm Saola will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands.

Typhoon Lan Brings Wind and Rain to Japan

Typhoon Lan brought wind and rain to parts of Japan on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 35.2°N and longitude 139.1°E which put it about 50 miles southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Lan was moving toward the northeast at 37 m.p.h. (60 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. (155 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Lan weakened significantly before it reached Japan.  Lan moved over cooler water south of Japan.  Strong upper level westerly winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The circulation of Lan pulled drier air into the western half of the circulation.  The combination of cooler water, strong shear and drier air caused the significant weakening.  In addition the shear was strong enough to push the heavier rain to the northeast of the center of Typhoon Lan.

Lan was still a typhoon when it made landfall in Honshu despite the unfavorable environment.  A weather station at the Tokyo International Airport reported a wind speed of 56 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  Some areas in eastern Honshu experienced periods of heavy rain and gusty winds.  The drier air will limit the rainfall after the center of the typhoon passes a given location.

The strong westerly winds will steer Typhoon Lan rapidly toward the northeast.  Lan will move east of Honshu in a few hours.  The strong vertical wind shear and cooler, drier air will cause Typhoon Lan to transition to a strong extratropical cyclone east of Japan.

While Typhoon Lan races across eastern Japan, Tropical Depression 27W organized southeast of Guam.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression 27W was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 147.4°E which put it about 360 miles (580 km) southeast of Guam.  It was moving toward west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gust to 45 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Depression 27W will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for development during the next several days.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge centered northeast of the Marianas is producing easterly winds which are blowing over the top of the depression.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear is inhibiting the organization of the circulation and it is slowing the development of the depression.  The shear is forecast to decrease during the next several days and the depression could strengthen into a tropical storm if a distinct low level center forms.

Tropical Depression 27W is near the southwestern end of the ridge to its northeast.  The ridge is currently steering the depression toward the west.  It is forecast to move around the end of the ridge and turn more toward the north during the next few days.  On its anticipated track the depression could be near Guam in about 24 hours.  It could be a tropical storm at that time.

Powerful Typhoon Lan Speeds Toward Japan

Powerful Typhoon Lan sped toward Japan on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 134.5°E, which put it about 575 miles (925 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Lan was moving toward the north-northeast at 27 m.p.h. (43 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (275 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 928 mb.

Lan is a large and powerful typhoon.  There is an eye at the center of circulation, but the eye has become less clear during the past few hours.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounds the eye and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Lan.  The outer bands in the western half of the circulation consist primarily of low clouds and showers.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 335 miles (540 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.5.

Typhoon Lan has reached its maximum intensity and it will weaken during the next several days.  Lan is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, but it will move over colder water when it moves farther north.  Westerly winds in the upper levels are starting to increase the vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Lan also appears to be drawing cooler and drier air into the western side of the circulation.  Cooler water, more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause steady weakening of Typhoon Lan.

Typhoon Lan is moving around the western end of a ridge which is steering the typhoon rapidly toward the north-northeast.  Westerly winds in the upper levels will carry Lan quickly toward Japan.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu and the area near Tokyo in 12 to 18 hours.  Lan will still be a strong typhoon when it gets to Japan.  Typhoon will bring strong winds and drop locally heavy rain over the area around Tokyo.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Typhoon Lan Intensifies Into Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Lan intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 130.3°E which put it about 450 miles (720 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Lan was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

Typhoon Lan has a large and powerful circulation.  There is a large circular eye at the center of circulation.  The eye has a diameter of 60 miles (96 km) and it is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  The strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of the circulation.  Typhoon Lan is generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 330 miles (530 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 37.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 57.8.  Those indices indicate that Typhoon Lan is capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment that will be favorable for further intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  An upper level ridge centered east of Lan is producing southerly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  There are also southerly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere and thus there is not much vertical wind shear.  The southerly winds in the upper levels are actually enhancing the upper level divergence to the northeast of Typhoon Lan.  Warm water and little vertical wind shear will allow Typhoon Lan to strengthen during the next day or so.  When Lan moves farther north, it will reach the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  The vertical wind shear will increase at that time, and Typhoon Lan will start to weaken.

Typhoon Lan is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the north.  As Typhoon Lan moves farther toward the north, it will begin to move toward the north-northeast.  When Lan reaches the upper level westerlies on Sunday, it will turn more toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Lan will pass east of Okinawa and the Ryuku Islands on Saturday.  Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu in about 48 hours.

Typhoon Lan will still be a large powerful typhoon when it approaches Honshu.  Lan will be capable of producing strong gusty winds and very heavy rainfall.  Flash floods could occur when Typhoon Lan moves across Japan.

Typhoon Lan Heads North and Strengthens

Typhoon Lan headed northward and strengthened on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 130.0°E which put it about 550 miles (885 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Lan was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Lan strengthened into a large powerful typhoon on Thursday.  A big circular eye developed at the core of Typhoon Lan.  The eye was not perfectly clear.  There was a small area of convection at the center of the eye and there was a clear moat around that area.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the typhoon.  Lan is a very large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out up to 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out up to 305 miles (490 km) from the center

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 46.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 63.3.  The circulation of Typhoon Lan is almost as large as the circulation of Hurricane Sandy was when Sandy hit the U.S. in 2012.

Typhoon Lan will be moving through an environment favorable for further intensification.  Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through and area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Lan could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next day or two.

Typhoon Lan is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the north.  Lan is likely to continue to move toward the north on Friday.  The typhoon will be affected by westerly winds when it moves farther north.  Those winds will cause Typhoon Lan to move more toward the north-northeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Lan could pass southeast of Okinawa in 24 to 36 hours.  Lan could approach Honshu within three days.

Lan Strengthens to a Typhoon East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Lan strengthened east of the Philippines on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated it a typhoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 11.2°N and longitude 132.4°E which put it about 515 miles (830 km) east of the Philippines.  Lan was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Lan became much more well organized on Tuesday.  Several long rainbands developed in the circulation and other smaller bands formed in the periphery of the typhoon.  The circulation of Typhoon Lan was circular and symmetrical.  Thunderstorms near the core of Lan began to generate strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The upper level divergence allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speed to increase.  Lan is a large typhoon.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 230 miles (370 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  Typhoon Lan will move through an area where the upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear during the next several days.  Typhoon Lan will continue to strengthen and there could be a period of rapid intensification after a well formed eye develops at the center of circulation.

Typhoon Lan was in an area where the steering currents were weak and it moved little on Tuesday.  An upper level ridge north of Lan blocked the typhoon from moving northward.  A weakness is forecast to develop in the ridge and the models are forecasting that Typhoon Lan will move northward during the rest of this week.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lan will remain east of the Philippines.  Lan could be southeast of Okinawa in three or four days.