Tag Archives: Aparri

Typhoon Chanthu Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Chanthu intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of northern Luzon on Wednesday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Chanthu was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 130.8°E which put it about 630 miles (1015 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines. Chanthu was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 915 mb.

Typhoon Chanthu intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Wednesday morning. A small eye was at the center of Typhoon Chanthu. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Chanthu. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped part of the way around the core of Typhoon Chanthu. Concentric eyewalls might be developing, which would indicate the start of an eyewall replacement cycle.

The circulation around Typhoon Chanthu was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Chanthu. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Chanthu was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.1. Typhoon Chanthu was capable of causing localized catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Chanthu will move through an environment capable of maintaining a strong typhoon during the next 48 hours. Chanthu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. If an eyewall replacement cycle occurs, Typhoon Chanthu will weaken when the inner eyewall weakens. An eyewall replacement cycle would increase the size of the circulation around Chanthu when the outer eyewall forms.

Typhoon Chanthu will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Chanthu toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Chanthu could approach northeastern Luzon in 48 hours. Chanthu will likely still be a powerful typhoon when it approaches Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Conson continued to bring wind and rain to parts of Luzon. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Conson was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 120.5°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) south-southwest of Manila, Philippines. Conson was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 988 mb.

Typhoon Surigae Moves away from the Philippines

Typhoon Surigae started to move away from the Philippines on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 240 miles (385 km) east-northeast of Aparri, Philippines. Surigae was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 952 mb.

Typhoon Surigae weakened slowly on Wednesday as it started to move farther away from the Philippines. A large circular eye with a diameter of 70 miles (110 km) was present at the center of Surigae. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the stronger winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Surigae. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Surigae still had a large circulation on Wednesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.2. Surigae was still the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Surigae will move into an environment that will become less favorable for a strong typhoon during the next several days. Surigae will move over cooler water northeast of the Philippines where the Sea Surface Temperatures is near 26°C. In addition, an upper level trough over China will move toward Typhoon Surigae. The trough will produce westerly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. The combination of cooler water and more wind shear will cause Typhoon Surigae to weaken during the next 48 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Typhoon Surigae toward the east-northeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Surigae will move away from the Philippines and it will stay southeast of Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. Surigae could approach Iwo To by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 121.2°W which put it about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Baguio, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the south-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 987 mb.

Former Typhoon Kalmaegi weakened to a tropical storm before it made landfall on the north coast of Luzon near Aparri.  Kalmaegi was under the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge produced strong southerly winds which blew toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear which weakened thunderstorms in the southern half of the circulation.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into the western part of the tropical storm.  The stronger thunderstorms were occurring northeast of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center in most parts of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.  A high pressure system over Asia was contributing to a bigger pressure gradient in the northwestern quadrant of Kalmaegi and winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in that area.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of northern Luzon.  The heavy rain was creating the potential for flash floods.  Kalmaegi will be steered toward the southwest by the high pressure system over Asia. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will pass near Baguio.  Kalmaegi will continue to weaken as it moves over northern Luzon.  It will move over the South China Sea northwest of Manila.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of Luzon and the flash flood threat will continue for several more days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fung-wong developed east of Luzon on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 127.8°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Fung-wong was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 Fung-wong is forecast to strengthen during the next 36 hours while it moves toward the Luzon Strait.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Almost a Typhoon Near Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was almost a typhoon as it neared northern Luzon on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 123.2°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was on the verge of strengthening into a typhoon on Sunday night.  The inner end of a band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped most of the way around the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be forming.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will move through an environment favorable for intensification for anther 12 to 24 hours.  Kalmaegi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi is likely to strengthen into a typhoon on Monday.

A ridge of high pressure will steer Tropical Storm Kalmaegi toward the northwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will make a landfall on the north coast of Luzon near Aparri in about 24 hours.  Kalmaegi will weaken after the center moves over land.  When Tropical Storm Kalmaegi weakens a strong northeasterly flow in the lower levels will steer the tropical storm back toward the southwest.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will bring gusty winds and it will drop locally heavy rain over northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Strengthens East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi strengthened east of Luzon on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 125.2°E which put it about 300 miles (185 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 996 mb.

After meandering for days east of Luzon, Tropical Storm Kalmaegi began to strengthen on Saturday night.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms strengthened and wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of circulation.   Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  Bands in the western half of the circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Kalmaegi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear.  The shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi could strengthen into a typhoon during the next 36 hours.

The ridge over the Western Pacific Ocean will steer Tropical Storm Kalmaegi toward the northwest during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Kalmaegi could approach northern Luzon in about 36 hours.  Kalmaegi could be a typhoon by that time.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Fengshen was speeding away from Iwo To.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Fengshen was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 153.1°E which put it about 690 miles (1110 km) east-northeast of Iwo To.  Fengshen was moving toward the east at 31 m.p.h. (50 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 962 mb.

Typhoon Fengshen Strengthens into Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Fengshen strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Fengshen was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 142.9°E which put it about 175 miles (285 km) south-southeast of Io To.  Fengshen was moving toward the north at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 949 mb.

Typhoon Fengshen strengthened quickly into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday.  An eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) developed at the center of Fengshen.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Fengshen.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Fengshen increased in size on Friday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225) km from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Fengshen was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.8.

Typhoon Fengshen may have reached its peak intensity.  Fengshen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there will be suffiicient energy in the upper levels of the Western Pacific to support intensification.  However, a large upper level trough southwest of Japan will move toward Fengshen.  The trough will produce strong southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon.  Those winds will cause moderate to strong vertical wind shear and the shear will cause Typhoon Fengshen to being to weaken.

A ridge of high pressure east of Typhoon Fengshen and the upper level trough southwest of Japan will interact to steer the typhoon toward the northeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Fengshen which contains the strongest winds will pass southeast of Iwo To.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kalmaegi moved very slowly toward northern Luzon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 125.9°E which put it about 345 miles (555 km) southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 1002 mb.

Typhoon Fengshen Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Marianas

Typhoon Fengshen brought wind and rain to the Northern Marianas on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Fengshen was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 143.3°E which put it about 385 miles (620 km) south-southeast of Iwo To.  Fengshen was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

Typhoon Fengshen intensified rapidly into a typhoon on Thursday as it moved over the Northern Marianas.  Fengshen brought strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Alamagan, Agrihan and Pagan.  There was a small circular eye at the center of Typhoon Fengshen.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Fengshen.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center.

Typhoon Fengshen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next day or so.  Fengshen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Fengshen could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday.

Typhoon Fengshen will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Fengshen toward the north during the next 24 hours.  The typhoon will move toward the northeast on Saturday after it moves around the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Fengshen will be south of Iwo To in about 24 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kalmaegi move closer to northern Luzon.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 125.0°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1002 mb.