Tag Archives: 11P

Tropical Cyclone Nat Moves Southwest of Tahiti

Tropical Cyclone Nat moved southwest of Tahiti on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nat was located at latitude 19.5°S and longitude 151.2°W which put it about 185 miles (300 km) southwest of Papeete, Tahiti. Nat was moving toward the southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 998 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Nat brought rain showers and gusty winds to Tahiti on Wednesday. Nat started to weaken as it moved southwest of Tahiti. An upper level trough northeast of New Zealand produced strong westerly winds that blew across the top of Nat’s circulation. Those winds cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong upper level winds blew away the tops of many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Nat. A few thunderstorms persisted in a band in the far eastern edge of Nat’s circulation. Other bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Nat consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Nat’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Nat will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level trough northeast of New Zealand will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Nat to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough northeast of New Zealand will steer Tropical Cyclone Nat toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Nat will pass south of Tahiti. Bands in the northern side of Nat will continue to bring gusty winds and rain showers to Tahiti during the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Osai strengthened west of Palmerston Island. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Osai was located at latitude 18.1°S and longitude 164.4°W which put it about 85 miles (135 km) west of Palmerston Island. Osai was moving toward the southeast at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 993 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Nat Moves Toward Tahiti

Tropical Cyclone Nat moved toward Tahiti on Tuesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nat was located at latitude 17.6°S and longitude 155.4°W which put it about 415 miles (670 km) west of Pappete, Tahiti. Nat was moving toward the east-southeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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.

Tropical Cyclone Nat strengthened a little as it moved over the South Pacific Ocean toward Tahiti on Tuesday. Thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Nat’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone. Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Cyclone Nat. Bands in the western and southern part of Nat’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extend out 120 miles (195 km) in the northwest, northeast and southeast quadrants of Tropical Cyclone Nat. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the southwest quadrant of Nat.

Tropical Cyclone Nat will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the South Pacific Ocean northeast of New Zealand. The upper level trough will produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Nat’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear is likely to cause Tropical Cyclone Nat to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough northeast of New Zealand will steer Tropical Cyclone Nat toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Nat will pass south of Bora Bora during the next 24 hours. Nat could be near Tahiti within 36 hours. Bands in the northern side of Nat could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Society Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone 11P formed north of American Samoa. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 11P was located at latitude 13.3°S and longitude 168.9°W which put it about 110 miles (195 km) north of Pago Pago, American Samoa. The tropical cyclone was moving toward the southeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 997 mb. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in parts of American Samoa.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Dovi intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near the southern end of New Caledonia on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 23.6°S and longitude 166.7°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 969 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near the southern end of New Caledonia on Thursday morning. An eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) formed at the center of Dovi’s circulation. The eye of Tropical Cyclone Dovi passed over the Ile des Pins. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Dovi’s circulation. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) to the east of the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the south during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move away from southern New Caledonia. Dovi will continue to cause strong winds and locally heavy rain over southern New Caledonia during the next few hours. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Weather conditions should improve in New Caledonia when Tropical Cyclone Dovi moves farther away. Dovi could approach New Zealand during the weekend as a strong extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours. Dovi will move into a region where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder and where there will be more vertical wind shear during the weekend. The combination of colder water and more wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Dovi to make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Strengthens near Loyalty Islands

Tropical Cyclone Dovi strengthened near the Loyalty Islands on Wednesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 21.5°S and longitude 168.3°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) east-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the south-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 979 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located just to the northeast of the island of Mare in the Loyalty Islands. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and eastern sides of the center of Dovi. The rainband had not yet wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Bands in the southern half of Dovi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will intensify during the next 24 hours. Dovi could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next day or so.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move near the southern end of New Caledonia during the next 12 hours. Dovi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Loyalty Islands including Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be near Ile des Pins in 12 hours. Dovi will begin to affect southern New Caledonia during the next 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves near the southern end of New Caledonia. Dovi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Brings Wind and Rain to Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Dovi brought wind and rain to parts of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 20.5°S and longitude 169.4°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) east-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi brought gusty winds and rain to southern Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. The center of Dovi’s circulation was southwest of Aneityum. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Dovi also brought wind and rain to Erromango and Tanna. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Dovi’s circulation, which could represent the initial stage in the formation of an eyewall. Most of the thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern half of Dovi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will some moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen rapidly if an inner core with an eye and an eyewall devlops.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move slowly away from Vanuatu. Weather conditions will gradually improve as Dovi moves away. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will be near the Loyalty Islands in 12 hours. The center could pass near Mare. Dovi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be near Ile des Pins in 24 hours. Dovi will begin to affect southern New Caledonia during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Forms near Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone 11P formed near Vanuatu on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 11P was located at latitude 19.8°S and longitude 168.9°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Tropical Cyclone 11P was moving toward the south-southeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 low pressure system near the island of Tanna strengthened to a tropical cyclone on Tuesday night. More thunderstorms developed in bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone 11P. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 11P will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone 11P will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone 11P is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 11P will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 11P will move slowly away from Vanuatu. The tropical cyclone will be near the Loyalty Islands in 24 hours. The center could pass near Mare. Tropical Cyclone 11P will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone could reach southern New Caledonia within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi Strengthens East of Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Kimi strengthened east of Queensland on Sunday. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kimi was located at latitude 16.3°S and longitude 146.6°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Cairns, Australia. Kimi was moving toward the south at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 992 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the Queensland coast from Port Douglas to Lucinda. The Warning includes Cairns, Innisfail and Cardwell. A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lucinda to Ayr.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi strengthened as it moved parallel to the east coast of Queensland on Sunday. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology radar at Cairns showed a well defined center of circulation. The center was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Kimi. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Kimi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge east of Australia. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Kimi is likely to intensify during the next 18 hours. Kimi could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system east of Australia. The high will steer Kimi toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kimi could approach the coast of Queensland between Innisfail and Cardwell in 24 hours. Kimi could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon or a strong tropical storm when it approaches the coast. Tropical Cyclone Kimi could drop heavy rain over parts of Queensland. The heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi Forms Near Queensland

Tropical Storm Kimi formed near the coast of Queensland on Saturday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kimi was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 146.4°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) north-northeast of Cairns, Australia. Kimi was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (9 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.

A Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Cape Melville to Cardwell. The Warning included Cooktown, Port Douglas and Cairns.

The circulation around a small low pressure system near the coast of Queensland strengthened quickly on Saturday night and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Kimi. The circulation around Kimi was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Kimi.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Kimi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge east of Australia. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Kimi is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. Kimi could strengthen rapidly because the circulation is small.

Tropical Cyclone Kimi will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system east of Australia. The high will steer Kimi toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kimi will approach the coast of Queensland between Cooktown and Port Douglas in less than 24 hours. Kimi could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon or a strong tropical storm when it approaches the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Winston Stalls Between Vanuatu and Fiji

Steering currents weakened on Sunday and Tropical Cyclone Winston stalled about half way between Vanuatu and Fiji.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Winston was located at latitude 18.0°S and longitude 172.5°E which put it about 300 miles (480 km) east of Port Vila, Vanuatu.  Winston was moving toward the west-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Vertical wind shear over Winston decreased on Sunday and the organization of the tropical cyclone improved.  The eye has become more visible on satellite images and thunderstorms surrounding the eye are generating more upper level divergence.  Easterly winds which were blowing over the top of Winston diminished and the upper level divergence is again flowing out in all directions.

Tropical Cyclone Winston is in an environment that favors intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  There is not much vertical wind shear and Winston is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Winston has moved into an area that is between two subtropical ridges.  As a result, it is in an area where the steering winds are not very strong.  The forward motion of Winston has slowed and there is some indication that it may be turning southward.  The guidance from numerical models is forecasting a southerly or southeasterly motion during the next 24 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Winston is predicted to stay east of Vanuatu.  However, a more westerly track could bring it closer to that country.

Tropical Cyclone Winston Hits Viti Levu Then Moves West of Fiji

The eye of destructive Tropical Cyclone Winston moved over the northern part of Viti Levu and then continued west of Fiji.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Winston was located at latitude 17.5°S and longitude 174.4°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east of Port Vila, Vanuatu.  Winston was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 937 mb.  Winston was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

The core of intense Tropical Cyclone Winston was disrupted as it moved across the northern portion of Viti Levu.  However, the core reorganized once it moved back over water.  It has a well formed eye surrounded by a circular eyewall.  Several rainbands are spiraling around the core.  Thunderstorms in the core of Tropical Cyclone Winston are generating upper level divergence.

The environment surrounding Tropical Cyclone Winston is a little less favorable for intensification.  Winston is still moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  However, an upper level ridge located to the southeast of Winston is generating easterly winds that are inhibiting upper level divergence to the east of the tropical cyclone.  There is still strong upper level divergence in the western half of the circulation.  The vertical wind shear has caused Winston to weaken slowly, but the shear has not been strong enough to disrupt the reorganization of the circulation.  Tropical Cyclone Winston could maintain its intensity or even strengthen somewhat during the next day or two.

The subtropical ridge southeast of Winston is steering the tropical cyclone toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue for at least another 24 hours.  Guidance from numerical models suggest that Winston will turn toward the south early next week.  However, the guidance from the models has consistently forecast a turn to the south that has not yet occurred.  The guidance predicts that Tropical Cyclone Winston will turn south before it can affect Vanuatu, but people in that country should monitor the progress of Winston closely.

Radar and satellite information indicate that the northern eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Winston may have moved over the southern part of Vanua Levu.  The eye moved across the northern part of Viti Levu.  Press reports indicated Winston produced significant wind damage and power outages in parts of Fiji.