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Tropical Storm Tembin Strengthens Over the Sulu Sea

Tropical Storm Tembin moved west of Mindanao and it strengthened over the Sulu Sea on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Tembin was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 120.8°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Puerto Princesa, Philippines.  Tembin was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

Tropical Storm Tembin weakened when the center moved across Mindanao.  The center is back over water in the Sulu Sea and the circulation of Tembin is strengthening again.  There is a distinct low level center of circulation, but the distribution of thunderstorms is asymmetrical.  Most of the strong thunderstorms are occurring in bands in the western half of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consist primarily of low clouds and showers.  The storms west of the center are generating upper level divergence which is pumping mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass has caused the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speeds have started to increase.

Tropical Storm Tembin will be moving through an environment that is favorable for intensification.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge north of Tropical Storm Tembin is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.   Those winds are causing vertical wind shear, which is probably the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  However, the shear is not strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Tembin from intensifying.  Tembin could strengthen into a typhoon during the next day or two while is moves over the South China Sea.

The subtropical ridge north of Tembin is steering the tropical storm toward the west.  A general motion toward the west-northwest west is forecast for the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Tembin will move across Palawan in about 18 hours.  Tembin could reach the southern coast of Vietnam in about three days.  Tembin will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Palawan.  Tembin could be a typhoon when it approaches southern Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the western North Pacific Ocean Tropical Depression Kai-tak is approaching the east coast of Malaysia.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Kai-tak was located at latitude 4.0°N and longitude 104.4°E which put it about 175 miles (285 km) north-northeast of Singapore.  Kai-tak was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.  Tropical Depression Kai-tak will drop locally heavy rain over portions of Malaysia, which could cause floods and mudslides.

Tropical Storm Tembin Drops Heavy Rain on Mindanao

Tropical Storm Tembin dropped heavy rain on Mindanao on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Tembin was located at latitude 7.9°N and longitude 126.1°E which put it near Monkayo, Philippines.  Tembin was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Tembin intensified on Thursday before it made landfall on Mindanao.  More thunderstorms developed near the core of the circulation and those storms generated stronger upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speed to increase.  Although the circulation became much better organized, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  There were far fewer thunderstorms forming in the eastern half of the circulation.

The center of Tropical Storm Tembin will be moving across Mindanao for another day or so.  The mountains on the island will disrupt the lower levels of the circulation and increased friction will slow the wind speed.  Tropical Storm Tembin will weaken while the center is over Mindanao.  However, the middle and upper parts of the circulation are likely to remain intact, and Tropical Storm Tembin will move through a favorable environment when it reaches the Sulu Sea.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge north of Tropical Storm Tembin is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The winds in the middle and lower levels are also blowing from the east and the vertical wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Tembin once the center gets back over water.  Temping could strengthen into a typhoon when it reaches the South China Sea.

The ridge north of Tembin is steering the tropical storm toward the west-southwest.  A general motion toward the west is expected during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Tembin will move east to west over Mindanao during the next 24 hours.  Afterwards, Tropical Storm Tembin will move across the Sulu Sea toward Palawan.  Tembin could be near Palawan in about 48 hours and it could be over the South China Sea shortly thereafter.

Tropical Storm Tembin represents a serious hazard for Mindanao and nearby locations in the southern Philippines.  Tembin is dropping heavy rain and it has the potential to cause serious floods.  Water levels could rise quickly and flash floods could develop.  Saturated soils could result in mudslides in areas of steeper terrain.

Farther to the west, Tropical Storm Kai-tak continued to move across the South China Sea.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak was located at latitude 5.7°N and longitude 106.9°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) east of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.  Kai-tak was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 Kai-tak Moves Over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Kai-tak moved west of the Philippines and over the South China Sea on Tuesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak was located at latitude 8.2°N and longitude 112.0°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Kai-tak was moving toward the west-southwest 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 1000 mb.

The organization of the circulation of Tropical Storm Kai-tak improved on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation.  The two stronger rainbands were north and west of the center.  However, thunderstorms also developed in a couple of bands southeast of the center of circulation.  These storms were the first to form in the eastern half of the circulation in several days.  The distribution of the rainbands was still asymmetrical, but storms were occurring in more quadrants of Kai-tak.  The storms in the two stronger rainbands were generating some upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Kai-tak will be moving through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Kai-tak will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Kai-tak is moving near the southwestern portion of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The easterly winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear, but they have weakened somewhat during the past 24 hours.  Less wind shear has allowed Tropical Storm Kai-tak to become better organized.  Tropical Storm Kai-tak could strengthen during the next 24 to 36 hours.

The western end of the subtropical ridge is strengthening and the ridge is steering Tropical Storm Kai-tak toward the west-southwest.  A general motion toward the west-southwest is expected to continue for the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak is expected to pass south of the southern tip of Vietnam.  Kai-tak is forecast to stay north of Borneo.  The center of Tropical Storm Kai-tak could approach the region near the border between Thailand and Malaysia in about 72 hours.

Tropical Storm Kirogi Brings Rain to Southern Vietnam

Tropical Storm Kirogi brought locally heavy rain to southern Vietnam on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday night the center of Tropical Storm Kirogi was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 109.8°E which put it about 220 miles (355 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Kirogi was moving toward the west 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 1001 mb.

Kirogi is a small tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.  The circulation is compact and circular.  Most of the strong storms are in the western half of the circulation.  There are numerous bands of lighter showers in eastern half of the circulation.  An upper level ridge north of Kirogi is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  The vertical wind shear is causing the asymmetrical distribution of the stronger storms.

The ridge is steering Tropical Storm Kirogi toward the west.  The center of Tropical Storm Kirogi will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam near Ham Thuan Nam in a few hours.  Kirogi will continue moving west toward Ho Chi Minh City and then over southeastern Cambodia.  Tropical Storm Kirogi will drop locally heavy rain along the coast from Nha Trang to the Mouths of the Mekong River.  Kirogi will also be capable of producing heavy heavy over parts of the southern Cambodia.  The rainfall could be heavy enough to cause flooding in some locations.

Tropical Storm Kirogi Forms West of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Kirogi formed west of the Philippines on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Kirogi was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 115.7°E which put it about 465 miles (745 km) east of Nha Trang, Vietnam.  Kirogi was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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.

A low level center of circulation developed near the eastern edge of an area of showers and thunderstorms west of the Philippines on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Kirogi.  The distribution of showers and thunderstorms in Kirogi was asymmetrical.  A primary rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of circulations and most of the stronger storms were west of the center.  There were only bands of low clouds and showers east of the center of Kirogi.  An upper level ridge north of Kirogi was producing easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the tropical storm.  The vertical wind shear created by those winds was causing the asymmetrical distribution of showers and thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Kirogi will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification.  Kirogi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The upper level ridge will continue to cause vertical wind shear.  The shear may be strong enough to slow intensification, but it may not strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Kirogi from strengthening.  The forecast is for Tropical Storm Kirogi to intensify during the next 24 to 36 hours.

The ridge is steering Tropical Storm Kirogi toward the west-northwest and a general westerly motion is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Kirogi will move across the South China Sea toward Vietnam.  Kirogi could reach the coast of Vietnam near Nha Trang in about 36 hours.  Kirogi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain when it reaches the coast.  The locally heavy rain could cause flash floods.  There could also be a storm surge of 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) where the wind blows water toward the coast of Vietnam.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Haikui Make Landfall in Vietnam

The remnants of Tropical Storm Haikui made landfall near Da Nang, Vietnam late on Monday.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Haikui were located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 108.2°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km/h) north of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Haikui was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Haikui consists of primarily of a low level counterclockwise circulation.  There are several thin bands of low clouds and showers.  Stronger thunderstorms were forming near the core of the circulation.  It appeared that winds blowing toward the coast were converging due to increased friction caused by the land.  The convergence was causing stronger rising motion which was contributing to the development of strong thunderstorms near and to the west of the center of circulation.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Haikui will move inland before significant intensification can occur.  The remnants of Haikui could drop locally heavy rainfall over portions of Vietnam, southern Laos and northeastern Thailand.  Locally heavy rainfall could cause flooding in some places.

Tropical Storm Haikui Weakens Southeast of Hainan Island

Tropical Storm Haikui weakened as it moved southeast of Hainan Island on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Haikui was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 112.6°E which put it about 290 miles (470 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Haikui was moving toward the west-southwest 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.

A combination of drier air and strong vertical wind shear weakened Tropical Storm Haikui on Saturday.  Strong northeasterly winds transported colder drier air from eastern Asia into the circulation of Tropical Storm Haikui.  The drier air reached the core of the circulation and it prevented the formation of new thunderstorms around the center of circulation.  Strong westerly winds in the upper levels were blowing over the top of the circulation.  The combination of northeasterly winds in the lower levels and westerly winds in the upper levels produced strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear blew the upper portion of the circulation to the east of the low level core of Tropical Storm Haikui.  The core of Tropical Storm Haikui consists of a circular rotation of showers and low clouds.  The only thunderstorms are occurring in a rainband on the northeastern periphery of the circulation.

The strong wind vertical wind shear and drier air should continue to weaken Tropical Storm Haikui.  Haikui is likely to weaken to a tropical depression on Sunday.  Since the circulation exists primarily in the lower levels, it will be steered by the winds closer to the surface of the Earth.  The northeasterly winds in the lower levels will steer Tropical Storm Haikui toward the west- southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Haikui will pass south of Hainan Island.  Haikui or its remnants could reach the coast of Vietnam in 36 to 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Haikui Moves Across South China Sea

Tropical Storm Haikui moved across the South China Sea on Friday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Haikui was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 115.4°E which put it about 485 miles (785 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Haikui was moving toward the west-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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Haikui strengthened slightly on Friday, but the circulation remained asymmetrical.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring east of the center of circulation.  A short primary rainband wrapped around the eastern side of the center.  Several other broken bands of showers and thunderstorms formed to the east of the primary rainband.  Bands of showers and storms were also located south of the center of circulation.  Storms near the core of Tropical Storm Haikui were generating some upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the east of the tropical storm.  The bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of low clouds and showers.

Tropical Storm Haikui will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Haikui will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Colder, drier air over eastern Asia was flowing toward the western side of Tropical Storm Haikui.  The upper level westerly winds of the middle latitudes were blowing just to the northwest of Tropical Storm Haikui.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical shear over the northwestern periphery of Haikui.  The winds over the core of Tropical Storm Haikui were weaker.  If Tropical Storm Haikui remains south of the stronger westerly winds, it could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.

A ridge to the north of Haikui is steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen and Tropical Storm Haikui is likely to move more toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Haikui will pass south of Hainan Island in about 48 hours.  Tropical Storm Haikui could reach the coast of Vietnam in less than three days.

Typhoon Damrey Makes Landfall in Vietnam

Typhoon Damrey made landfall in Vietnam late on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Damrey was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 109.7°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east-northeast of Nha Trang, Vietnam.  Damrey was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/hr) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Damrey strengthened until it made landfall on the coast of Vietnam.  A small eye formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring that ring.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Damrey.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center.

A ridge north of Damrey steered the typhoon steadily westward across the South China Sea.  The center of Typhoon Damrey made landfall on the coast of Vietnam north of Nha Trang.  The ridge is forecast to continue to steer Damrey toward the west.  Typhoon Damrey will move across southern Vietnam, southern Laos, Cambodia and Thailand during the next several days.

Typhoon Damrey brought strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of Vietnam.  Damrey was capable of causing serious wind damage.  Typhoon Damrey was also capable of generating a storm surge of 9 to 12 feet (3 to 4 meters) where the winds blew the water toward the coast.  Damrey will weaken as it moves inland over Southeast Asia, but it will drop locally heavy rain.  The locally heavy rain could produce serious floods in parts of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

Typhoon Damrey Strengthens As It Approaches Vietnam

Typhoon Damrey strengthened as it approached Vietnam on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Damrey was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 113.1°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) east-northeast of Nha Trang, Vietnam.  Damrey was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Damrey became much more well organized on Thursday and it strengthened in a typhoon.  A small circular eye developed at the center of Typhoon Damrey.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the symmetrical circulation of Typhoon Damrey.  The storms generated well developed upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon and allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

Typhoon Damrey will move through an environment favorable for intensification for about another 18 hours.  Damrey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level ridge to the north of Damrey is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  However, there are also easterly winds in the lower and middle of the troposphere.  So, there is not a lot of vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Damrey will continue to intensify on Friday and there could be a period of more rapid intensification.  Typhoon Damrey will begin to weaken after the center makes landfall in Vietnam.

The ridge to the north of Damrey is steering the typhoon toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Damrey will reach the coast of Vietnam in 18 to 24 hours.  The center could make landfall between Cam Ranh and Quy Nhon.

Typhoon Damrey will bring strong winds to southern Vietnam.  Damrey cold produce a storm surface of 6 to 12 feet (2 to 4 meters) near where the center makes landfall on the coast.  Typhoon Damrey will also drop very heavy rain over parts of southern Vietnam, southern Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.  The heavy rain could cause flooding in those areas.