Tag Archives: 28W

Typhoon Halong Passes South of Tokyo

Typhoon Halong passed south of Tokyo on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 32.8°N and longitude 140.3°E which put the center about 195 miles (315 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 946 mb.

Typhoon Halong was starting to weaken as it passed south of Tokyo on Wednesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was still present at the center of Halong’s circulation.  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 Typhoon Halong.  Storms near the center of Halong generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the typhoon.  The removal of mass was less than the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing.

The circulation around Typhoon Halong increased in size on Wednesday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Halong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Typhoon Halong.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Halong was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.5.  Typhoon Halong was similar in intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.  Halong is bigger than Dennis was.

Typhoon Halong will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southern extent of the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  The upper level westerly winds will blow toward the top of Halong’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear will cause Typhoon Halong to weaken during the next 24 hours.  Halong is likely to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next few days.

The upper level westerly winds will steer Typhoon Halong quickly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Halong will move away from Japan on Thursday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Nakri former southwest of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 136.0°E which put the center about 625 miles (1010 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Nakri was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Halong Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Halong intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 28.4°N and longitude 137.2°E which put the center about 490 miles (785 km) south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 942 mb.

Typhoon Halong intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday morning.  A circular eye with a diameter of 40 miles (65 km) was at the center of Halong’s circulation.  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 core of Typhoon Halong.  Storms near the core of Halong generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Halong was relatively small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Halong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Typhoon Halong.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Halong was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.3.  Typhoon Halong was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

Typhoon Halong will move through an environment that is favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Halong will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Halong will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Halong toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Halong will move closer to Honshu.

Halong Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Halong strengthened to a typhoon west of the Ogasawara Islands south of Japan on Sunday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 25.9°N and longitude 140.5°E which put the center about 665 miles (1075 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 977 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Halong strengthened to a typhoon on Sunday night.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Halong’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the eastern side of Typhoon Halong.  Bands in the western side of Halong’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Halong generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Typhoon Halong was relatively symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Halong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Typhoon Halong.

Typhoon Halong will move through an environment that is mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Halong will move into a region of drier air.  The drier air will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in the western part of Halong’s circulation.  Typhoon Halong is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours if the drier air does not get pulled into the core of Halong.

Typhoon Halong will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Halong toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Halong will move a little closer to Japan.

Elsewhere, the center of Tropical Storm Matmo moved over northeastern Vietnam.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Matmo was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 106.2°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) east of Na Phac, Vietnam.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Matmo Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Typhoon Matmo brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 110.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west of Zhanjiang, China.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (25 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 966 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of southern China on Sunday morning.  The center of Matmo made landfall near Zhanjiang.

Typhoon Matmo was a large typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Matmo was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size index (HWISI) was 41.0.  Typhoon Matmo was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will move inland near the coast of southern China.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast.  Typhoon Matmo will drop heavy rain on parts of northern Vietnam early next week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened to Tropical Storm Halong east of Iwo To.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 142.0°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east of Iwo To.   Halong was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 994 mb.

Typhoon Matmo Passes South of Hong Kong

Typhoon Matmo passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 113.4°E which put the center about 225 miles (370 km) south of Hong Kong, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 984 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened as it passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  A circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Matmo.  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 core of Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Matmo increased on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

Typhoon Matmo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Matmo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Matmo will intensify during the next 12 hours. .

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will approach the  southern coast of China in 12 hours.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 28W formed east of Iwo To.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 28W was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 63.1°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) east of Iwo To.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Pabuk Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Pabuk weakened to a tropical depression east of southern Vietnam during Tuesday night.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Pabuk was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 110.0°E which put the center about 260 miles (420 km) east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Pabuk was moving toward the south-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Pabuk weakened to a tropical depression during Tuesday night.  A surface high pressure over eastern Asia produced strong northeasterly winds along the east coast of Vietnam.  Those winds transported cooler, drier air into Pabuk’s circulation.  The cooler drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in former Tropical Storm Pabuk to dissipate.  Pabuk’s circulation consisted primarily of bands of showers and lower clouds revolving around the surface center.

Tropical Depression Pabuk will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pabuk’s circulation.  The combination of southeasterly winds in the upper levels and northeasterly winds in the lower levels will cause strong vertical wind shear.   The surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will continue to transport cooler, drier air into Tropical Depression Pabuk.  The combination of strong vertical wind shear and cooler, drier air will cause Tropical Depression Pabuk to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Pabuk will move around the southeastern side of the high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Pabuk toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Pabuk will remain east of Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Moves Toward Vietnam

Tropical Storm Pabuk moved slowly toward Vietnam on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 111.3°E which put the center about 335 miles (540 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Pabuk was moving toward the west-southwest 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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Pabuk was better organized in Tuesday morning.  More thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Pabuk’s circulation.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  Storms near the center of Pabuk generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and west of the tropical storm.

Even though Tropical Storm Pabuk was better organized, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western sides of Pabuk’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and eastern side of Tropical Storm Pabuk consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Pabuk’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  A surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will transport drier air around the southern side of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  The combination of drier air and moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification of Tropical Storm Pabuk during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk could strengthen a little if the vertical wind shear does not get any stronger.  Tropical Storm Pabuk is likely to weaken if the upper level winds do get stronger.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move around the southeastern side of the high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Pabuk toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pabuk will continue to move toward Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Develops East of Vietnam

Tropical Storm Pabuk developed over the South China Sea east of Vietnam on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 112.5°E which put the center about 410 miles (660 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Pabuk was moving toward the north 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 1001 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Pabuk.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Pabuk was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in a band in the northern part of Pabuk’s circulation.  The bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Pabuk consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Pabuk’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  A surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will transport drier air into the western side of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  The combination of drier air and moderate vertical wind shear is likely to cause Tropical Storm Pabuk to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move around the southeastern side of the high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Pabuk toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pabuk will move toward Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko Moves North of Wake Island

Tropical Storm Yamaneko moved north of Wake Island on Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yamaneko was located at latitude 23.4°N and longitude 166.0°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) north of Wake Island. Yamaneko was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko moved farther north of Wake Island on Sunday. The distribution of thunderstorms in Yamaneko was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the far eastern part of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Bands in the rest of Yamaneko’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough southeast of Japan was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear was causing the upper part of Yamaneko’s circulation to tilt toward the northeast. The strong upper level winds were also blowing off the tops of thunderstorms that started to form near the center of Yamaneko and in the western part of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko will move through an environment that will cause it to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. Yamaneko will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26˚C. The upper level trough southeast of Japan will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. A combination of cooler water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Yamaneko to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Yamaneko toward the north-northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Yamaneko will pass far to the west of Midway Island in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko Forms Northwest of Wake Island

Tropical Storm Yamaneko formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Wake Island on Saturday afternoon. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Yamaneko was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 165.7°E which put it about 180 miles (295 km) north-northwest of Wake Island. Yamaneko was moving toward the north-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

An area of low pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Wake Island strengthened on Saturday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Thunderstorms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and western side of the center of Yamaneko’s circulation. Other bands of thunderstorms were in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Many of the bands in the western side of Yamaneko consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. The winds in the western side of Yamaneko were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Yamaneko will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough southeast of Japan will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Yamaneko’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent Yamaneko from getting a little stronger. Tropical Storm Yamaneko is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough southeast of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Yamaneko toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Yamaneko will move farther away from Wake Island.