Tag Archives: Chan-hom

Tropical Storm Chan-hom Brings Wind and Rain to Honshu

Tropical Storm Chan-hom brought wind and rain to central Honshu on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 36.0°N and longitude 139.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) north of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the west-southwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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.

The center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom crossed the coast of Honshu northeast of Tokyo on Tuesday morning.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles in the northern half of Chan-hom’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Chan-hom were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

An upper level low south of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Chan-hom toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom will move across central Honshu.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of central Honshu.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Peilou continued to weaken slowly northwest of Wake Island.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Peilou was located at latitude 26.7°N and longitude 160.1°E which put the center about 645 miles (1035 km) northwest of Wake Island.  Peilou was moving toward the east-northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom Moves Toward Japan

Tropical Storm Chan-hom was moving toward Japan on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 35.7°N and longitude 147.1°E which put the center about 460 miles (745 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 981 mb.

The surface center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom is under the eastern part of an upper level low.  The upper level low is producing southeasterly winds that are blowing toward the top of Chan-hom’s circulation.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Chan-hom is also puling drier air into the southern and eastern parts of Chan-hom’s circulation.

The combination of the moderate vertical wind shear and the drier air is causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Chan-hom to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms are occurring in bands in the western half of Chan-hom’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern part of Tropical Storm Chan-hom consist primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storm near the enter of Chan-hom generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chan-hom was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) in the northern half of Chan-hom’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Tropical Storm Chan-hom.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chan-hom will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the upper level low just to the west of the low level center of Chan-hom’s circulation will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Chan-hom could intensify a little in spite of the moderate vertical wind shear.

The upper level low just to the west of the surface center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom will steer Chan-hom toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom will reach the coast of Honshu northeast of Tokyo in about 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of central Honshu.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Dolphin continued to drop heavy rain over parts of eastern China and former Tropical Storm Peilou weakened to a tropical depression.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin was located at latitude 29.0°N and longitude 117.9°E which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Jingdezhen, China.  Dolphin was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 990 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Peilou was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 153.6°E which put the center about 195 miles (315 km) south-southwest of Minami Tori Shima.  Peilou was moving toward the northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin Hits Eastern China

Typhoon Dolphin hit the coast of eastern China near Wenzhou early on Sunday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 28.2°N and longitude 121.4°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) east of Wenzhou, China.  Dolphin was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 954 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on the east coast of China near Wenzhou early on Sunday.  Dolphin was a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the enter of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 295 miles (475 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 16.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 29.4.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in intensity to Hurricane Isaac when Isaac hit southeast Louisiana in 2012.  Typhoon Dolphin is much larger than Isaac was.

Typhoon Dolphin 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 Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will continue to move farther inland over eastern China during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of eastern China.  Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the east coast of China.

Even though Typhoon Dolphin will weaken as it moves farther inland, Dolphin could also drop heavy rain over parts of Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and Shanxi as it moves farther inland.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom was still churning east of Japan and Tropical Storm Peilou formed south of Iwo To.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 32.4°N and longitude 150.5°E which put the center about 650 miles (1050 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 984 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Peilou was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 143.6°E which put the center about 265 miles (425 km) south-southeast of Iwo To.  Peilou was moving toward the east-southeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 998 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin Approaches East Coast of China

Typhoon Dolphin was approaching the east coast of China on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 27.9°N and longitude 122.7°E which put the center about 130 miles (210 km) east of Wenzhou, China.  Dolphin was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 959 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin weakened gradually on Saturday as it approached the east coast of China.  Dolphin appeared to pull drier air from China into the western side of its circulation.  The drier air caused thunderstorms in bands in the western side of Typhoon Dolphin to weaken.  A small circular eye was still present at the center of Dolphin’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 still occurring in the eastern side of Dolphin’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  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 increased slowly on Saturday.

The area of stronger winds in Typhoon Dolphin decreased in size on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the enter of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 11.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 17.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 28.5.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in intensity to Hurricane Isaac when Isaac hit southeast Louisiana in 2012.  Typhoon Dolphin is much larger than Isaac was.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Dolphin 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 over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the circulation around Typhoon Dolphin will continue to pull drier air over China into its circulation.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to continue to weaken gradually during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Dolphin 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 Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will hit the east coast of China just to the north of Wenzhou in less about 12 hours.

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of eastern China.  Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the east coast of China.

Typhoon Dolphin could also drop heavy rain over parts of Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and Shanxi after it moves inland.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom continued to spin east of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 32.2°N and longitude 150.8°E which put the center about 670 miles (1080 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the west-southwest 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 987 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin Moves Toward Eastern China

Typhoon Dolphin moved away from Okinawa and toward eastern China on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 126.2°E which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) east-southeast of Wenzhou, China. Dolphin was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 948 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin maintained its intensity as it moved away from Okinawa on Friday.  A small circular eye was visible at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  A band of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that band of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dolphin’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Friday.

Typhoon Dolphin was a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 145 miles (235 km) in the northern half of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 305 miles (490 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 32.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 50.1.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Frances when Frances hit South Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the circulation around Typhoon Dolphin could pull drier air over China into its circulation.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to start to weaken gradually as it moved closer to eastern China.

Typhoon Dolphin 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 Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin could hit the east coast of China in less than 48 hours.

The large circulation around Typhoon Dolphin will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands on Saturday.

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of eastern China by the end of the weekend.  Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the east coast of China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom weakened east of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 157.3°E which put the center about 1100 miles (1775 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the 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 990 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin Hits Okinawa

Typhoon Dolphin hit Okinawa on Thursday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 128.3°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) north-northeast of Okinawa.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin started to intensify on Thursday evening as it approached Okinawa.  A small circular eye was visible at the center of Dolphin’s circulation on satellite and radar images.   Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dolphin’s circulation.    Storms near the core of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was greater than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure decreased a little on Thursday.

The eye of Typhoon Dolphin was passing just to the north of Okinawa.  The southern part of the eyewall of Dolphin was passing over northern Okinawa.

A weather station at Naha Airport (ROAH) in Okinawa reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 61 m.p.h. (98 km/h).

Typhoon Dolphin was a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northern half of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 38.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 54.8

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin could intensify on Friday as long as Okinawa does not disrupt the inner core of its circulation..

Typhoon Dolphin 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 Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will move west of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  Dolphin could hit the east coast of China in less than 48 hours.

Typhoon Dolphin will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur in Okinawa.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of some of the islands.

Even the center of Typhoon Dolphin will pass north of Taiwan, bands in the southern part of Dolphin’s circulation will drop heavy rain on northern Taiwan.

Typhoon Dolphin will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom formed southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 29.6°N and longitude 160.3°E which put the center about 1300 miles (2095 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 987 mb.

Tropical Storm Nangka Forms over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Nangka formed over the South China Sea on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nangka was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 113.8°E which put it about 200 miles (325 km) east of Hainan Island.  Nangka was moving toward the west 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 996 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the South China Sea on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nangka.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Nangka exhibited more organization on Monday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Nangka.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Nangka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 18 hours.  Nangka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge over eastern Asia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Nangka.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical which shear.  The shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be strong enough to keep Nangka from intensifying.  Tropical Storm Nangka will weaken in a day or so while the tropical storm moves over Hainan Island.  Nangka could restrengthen when it moves west of Hainan.

Tropical Storm Nangka will move south of a high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high will steer Nangka toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nangka will reach Hainan Island in less than 18 hours.  Nangka will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Hainan.  Flash floods could occur in some locations.  Tropical Storm Nangka will reach northern Vietnam in two days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Chan-hom was weakening southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Chan-hom was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 142.5°E which put it about 400 miles (645 km) south-southeast of Tokyp, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the south 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 guts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Linfa Makes Landfall in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Linfa made landfall on the coast of Vietnam on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Linfa was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 107.4°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) east of Lamam, Laos.  Linfa was moving toward the west 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 1000 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Linfa made landfall on the central coast of Vietnam south of Da Nang on Sunday.  Linfa brought tropical storm force winds to the portion of the coast south of Da Nang.  Tropical Storm Linfa dropped heavy rain over central Vietnam, southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia.  Linfa is forecast to continue to move toward the west and it will be over northeastern Thailand on Monday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom weakened southeast of Japan and a new tropical depression formed west of the Philippines.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 31.1°N and longitude 142.2°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the southeast 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 1000 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression 18W was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 118.3°E which put it about 700 miles (1130 km) east of Da Nang, Vietnam.  The depression was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Linfa Forms East of Vietnam

Tropical Storm Linfa formed east of Vietnam on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Linfa was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 109.9°E which put it about 155 miles (250 km) east-southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Linfa was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (34 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 997 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the South China Sea east of Vietnam and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Linfa on Saturday.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Linfa exhbited better organization.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Linfa.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Linfa.

A high pressure system over eastern Asia will steer Tropical Storm Linfa quickly toward the west during the next two days.  On its anticipated track Linfa will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam south of Da Nang in about 8 hours.  Tropical Storm Linfa will move through an environment favorable for intensification until it makes landfall.  Linfa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Linfa.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will limit the rate of intensification but Linfa will strengthen before it makes landfall.

Tropical Storm Linfa will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam south of Da Nang in a few hours.  Linfa will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of central Vietnam, southern Laos, northern Cambodia and northeastern Thailand.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom was passing south of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 139.8°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the east at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 985 mb.

Typhoon Chan-hom Turns Toward Japan

Typhoon Chan-hom turned toward Japan on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Chan-hom was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 132.9°W which put it about 515 miles (825 km) south-southwest of Osaka, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 973 mb.

Typhoon Chan-hom strengthened slowly on Wednesday.  An eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) formed at the center of Chan-hom.  The eye was surrounded by a broken 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 Chan-hom.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Chan-hom was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Chan-hom.

Typhoon Chan-hom will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chan-hom will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°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 Typhoon Chan-hom.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  The wind shear will limit intensification, but Chan-hom could get stronger during the next 24 hours.  An upper level trough over eastern Asia will cause stronger southwesterly winds to blow toward Typhoon Chan-hom in a day or so.  Those winds will cause stronger vertical wind shear and they will cause Chan-hom to start to weaken.

Typhoon Chan-hom will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours.  The high will steer Chan-hom toward the north during that time period.  The upper trough over eastern Asia will turn Typhoon Chan-hom toward the northeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Chan-hom will be southeast of Kyushu and south of Shikoku in about 48 hours.