Tag Archives: Agrihan

Typhoon Saudel Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Saudel strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Saturday at it moved west of the Marianas.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Saudel was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 144.2°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) west of Agrihan.  Saudel was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Saudel strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Saturday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (30 km) was at the center of Saudel’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 Saudel.  Storms near the center of Saudel 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 Saudel increased when Saudel strengthened.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Saudel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Saudel.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saudel is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.7.  Typhoon Saudel is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Milton when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Typhoon Saudel will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Saudel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Saudel could intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Saudel could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Typhoon Saudel will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Saudel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Saudel will pass south of Iwo To in 18 hours.  Saudel could approach the Ryukyu Islands in three days.

Saudel Intensifies to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Saudel intensified to a typhoon east of the Marianas on Friday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Saudel was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 147.8°E which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) east-northeast of Saipan.   Saudel was moving toward the north-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 983 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alamagan.

A Typhoon Watch is also in effect for Alamagan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.

Former Tropical Storm Saudel intensified to a typhoon on Friday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Saudel.  A circular eye formed at the center of Saudel’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 Saudel.  Storms near the center of Saudel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern half of Typhoon Saudel.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the eastern half of Saudel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Typhoon Saudel.

Typhoon Saudel will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Saudel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Saudel is likely to intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Saudel is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Saudel will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Saudel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Saudel will be near Agrihan and Pagan in less than 12 hours.

Typhoon Saudel will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Pagan and Agrihan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Saudel will also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Alamagan. Typhoon Saudel could bring gusty winds to Tinian and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Saudel Strengthens

Tropical Storm Saudel strengthened on Thursday as it moved east of the Marianas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Saudel was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 148.7°E which put the center about 215 miles (350 km) east of Saipan.  Saudel was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 994 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alamagan.

A Typhoon Watch is also in effect for Alamagan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Saudel strengthened on Thursday.  Even though Saudel strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the southern half of Saudel’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Saudel consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Saudel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Saudel was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the southern side of Saudel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Saudel.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move through an environment that will become more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Saudel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Saudel could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Storm Saudel is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Friday.  Saudel could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Saudel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Saudel will be near Agrihan and Pagan in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Saudel will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Pagan and Agrihan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Saudel will also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Alamagan.  Tropical Storm Saudel could bring gusty winds to Tinian and Saipan.

Typhoon Bavi Batters the Marianas

Typhoon Bavi battered the Marianas on Sunday night.  The eye of Typhoon Bavi passed over Rota.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 144.4°E which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) northwest of Rota and about 45 miles (75 km) north of Guam.  Bavi was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 205 m.p.h. (335 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 906 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Alamagan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.

The eye of Typhoon Bavi passed directly over Rota.  There have been no recent reports from the weather station on Rota.  The most recent observation from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam (PGUA) reported a sustained wind speed of 74 m.p.h. (119 km/h) and a wind gust of 92 m.p.h. (148 km/h).

Typhoon Bavi was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Bavi.  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 Bavi’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Bavi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Bavi increased on Sunday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 40.4.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 26.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 67.2. Typhoon Bavi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria was at its maximum intensity in 2017.  Typhoon Bavi is bigger than Maria was.

Typhoon Bavi will more through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bavi could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless another eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Bavi to weaken temporarily again.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bavi will move to the west of the Marianas during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Marianas on Monday.  Bavi could be capable of causing catastrophic damage.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Warnings are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Typhoon Bavi could also cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the Marianas.

Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on the Marianas

Typhoon Bavi was bearing down on the Marianas on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 147.6°E which put the center about 215 miles (350 km) east of Guam.  Bavi was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (325 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 911 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Alamagan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.

Typhoon Bavi went through a complete eyewall replacement cycle on Saturday.  Bavi strengthened back to its previous intensify after it completed the eyewall replacement cycle.

A new circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Bavi.  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 Bavi’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Bavi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Bavi increased after the eyewall replacement cycle.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 36.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 55.9.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Bavi will more through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bavi could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours unless another eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Bavi to weaken temporarily again.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Bavi will reach the Marianas in 12 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Marianas.  Bavi could be capable of causing catastrophic damage.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Typhoon Bavi could also cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the Marianas.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Maysak continued to move inland over southern China.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Maysak was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 108.8°E which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) south-southwest of Liuzhou, China.  Maysak was moving toward the north-northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

 

Bavi Causes Typhoon Warnings for Marianas

The risk posed by Typhoon Bavi caused Typhoon Warnings to be issued for the Marianas.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 150.5°E which put the center about 405 miles (650 km) east of Guam.  Bavi was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (325 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 913 mb.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.

A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Typhoon Bavi.  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 Bavi’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Bavi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to continue to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Bavi was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 36.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 56.0.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Bavi will more through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bavi could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall and concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause  Bavi to weaken temporarily.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bavi will reach the Marianas in 36 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Marianas.  Bavi could be capable of causing catastrophic damage.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Typhoon Bavi could also cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the Marianas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Maysak was moving toward northeast Vietnam.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Maysak was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 107.7°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) east of Haiphong, Vietnam.  Maysak was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 991 mb.

Typhoon Bavi Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Bavi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 151.9°E which put the center about 500 miles (805 km) east of Guam.  Bavi was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 921 mb.

Typhoon Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.

A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Typhoon Bavi.  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 Bavi’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Bavi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Bavi was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 53.6.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Bavi will more through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bavi could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall and concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause  Bavi to weaken.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bavi will reach the Marianas in 48 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Marianas.  Bavi could be capable of causing catastrophic damage.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Typhoon Bavi could also cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the Marianas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Maysak was moving toward the coast of Southern China.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Maysak was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 108.5°E which put the center about 115 miles (185 km) south of Qinzhou, China.  Maysak was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 Bavi Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Bavi intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Thursday night.  The threat posed by Bavi prompted the issuance of Typhoon Watches and Tropical Storm Watches for the Marianas.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 153.8°E which put the center about 625 miles (1010 km) east of Guam.  Bavi was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Typhoon Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.

A circular eye with a diameter of 21 miles (33 km) was at the center of Typhoon Bavi.  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 Bavi’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Bavi generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Bavi was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.7.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Jeanne when Jeanne hit South Florida in 2004.  Bavi is not quite as large as Jeanne was.

Typhoon Bavi will more through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bavi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bavi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Bavi could intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Bavi could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bavi could reach the Marianas in less than 60 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Marianas.  Bavi could be capable of causing catastrophic damage.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Typhoon Bavi could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the Marianas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Maysak was bringing gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Hainan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Maysak was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 109.4°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) south of Sanya, China.  Maysak was moving toward the 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 999 mb.

Typhoon Sinlaku Moves Away from the Marianas

Typhoon Sinlaku started to move away from the Marianas on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Sinlaku was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 146.4°E which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) north-northeast of Agrihan.  Sinlaku was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 974 mb.

Typhoon Sinlaku continued to weaken as it moved away from the Marianas on Friday.  An eye was no longer visible at the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Bands in the western and northern parts of Typhoon Sinlaku consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Sinlaku still generated some upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So the surface pressure continued to increase.

The circulation around Typhoon Sinlaku was still large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 270 miles (435 km) from the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.

Typhoon Sinlaku will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sinlaku will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is southeast of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sinlalu’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the moderate vertical wind shear.  Sinlaku also continue to pull drier air into its circulation.  The drier air will continue to to inhibit the development of new thunderstorms in the rainbands revolving around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  The cooler Sea Surface Temperatures, more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Typhoon Sinlaku to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Sinlaku will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sinlaku toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, will continue to move away from the Marianas.

Typhoon Sinlaku Still Bringing Wind and Rain to Northern Marianas

Typhoon Sinlaku was still bringing wind and rain to the Northern Marianas on Thursday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Sinlaku was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 144.6°E which put the center about 90 miles (145 km) west of Alamagan.   Sinlaku was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Typhoon Warnings remain in effect for Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Pagan, Alamagan, and Agrihan.

Typhoon Sinlaku was weakening gradually as it moved just to the west of the Northern Marianas.  The circulation around Sinlaku was pulling drier air into the typhoon.  There were fewer clouds in the regions between the rainbands.  Typhoon Sinlaku also appeared to be in the going through another eyewall replacement cycle.

The circulation around Typhoon Sinlaku was still well organized even though Sinlaku was weakening.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was still visible at the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.  Storms near the center of Sinlaku generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels.  So, the surface pressure was continuing to increase gradually.

The circulation around Typhoon Sinlaku was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (470 km) from the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Sinlaku is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 32.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 53.2.  Typhoon Sinlaku is similar in intensity to Hurricane Irma when Irma hit Southwest Florida in 2017.  Sinlaku is bigger than Irma was.

Typhoon Sinlaku will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sinlaku toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Sinlaku will move over the northernmost islands in the Northern Marianas during the nest 24 hours.  Sinlaku will start to move away from the Marianas on Friday.

Typhoon Sinlaku will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Sinlaku will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is southeast of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sinlalu’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Typhoon Sinlaku will also continue to pull drier air into its circulation.  The drier air will continue to to inhibit the development of new thunderstorms in the rainbands revolving around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  The cooler Sea Surface Temperatures, more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Typhoon Sinlaku to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Sinlaku will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Northern Marianas during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches remain in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

Typhoon Sinlaku could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters).