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Tropical Storm Gaemi Brings Wind and Rain to Eastern China

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Tropical Storm Gaemi brought wind and rain to parts of eastern China on Thursday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Gaemi was located at latitude 25.9°N and longitude 119.1°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west of Fuzhou, China.  Gaemi was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 973 mb.

Former Typhoon Gaemi weakened to a tropical storm on Thursday before it made landfall on the east coast of China.  The center of Gaemi’s circulation made landfall southeast of Fuzhou near Fuqing.  Showers and thunderstorms in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Tropical Storm Gaemi were dropping heavy rain.  The bands in the northern and western parts of Gaemi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Gaemi was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (350 km) from the center of Gaemi’s circulation.  The strongest winds were occurring in bands that were still over water in the eastern and southern parts of Tropical Storm Gaemi.

Tropical Storm Gaemi will move toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  Gaemi will weaken as it moves farther inland over eastern China.  Tropical Storm Gaemi will drop heavy rain over parts of Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Typhoon Gaemi Batters Taiwan

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Typhoon Gaemi battered Taiwan on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Gaemi was located at latitude 24.0°N and longitude 121.4°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) south of Taipei, Taiwan.  Gaemi was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 928 mb.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall of Typhoon Gaemi as it approached the east coast of Taiwan.  Concentric eyewalls formed in the core of Gaemi’s circulation.  The diameter of the inner eye was 7 miles (11 km).  The inner eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Gaemi.

The inner eye of Typhoon Gaemi began to make a counterclockwise loop inside the outer eyewall as Gaemi neared the east coast of Taiwan.  Mountains in Taiwan also deflected winds blowing around the western side of Typhoon Gaemi.  The deflection of the winds by the mountains also contributed to the counterclockwise loop of the inner eye.  The inner eye made landfall near Yilan City after it completed the counterclockwise loop.

The circulation around Typhoon Gaemi was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Gaemi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 315 miles (510 km) from the center of Typhoon Gaemi.

Typhoon Gaemi was the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 35.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 58.8.  Typhoon Gaemi was as strong as Hurricane Katrina was when Katrina made landfall on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.  Gaemi was larger than Katrina was when Katrina made landfall.

Typhoon Gamei was producing strong winds in Taiwan.  Gaemi was also dropping very heavy rain over parts of Taiwan.  Prolonged heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in many locations.  Typhoon Gaemi was also causing a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the coast of northern Taiwan where the wind was blowing water toward the coast.

Typhoon Gaemi will move toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  Gaemi will continue to produce strong winds and heavy rain in Taiwan for another 12 to 24 hours.  The center of Typhoon Gaemi will move over the Taiwan Strait in a few hours.  Gaemi will make another landfall on the east coast of China in about 18 hours.

Typhoon Gaemi Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

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Typhoon Gaemi strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of Taiwan on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Gaemi was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 123.2°E which put the center about 200 miles (325 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Gaemi was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Typhoon Gaemi rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of Taiwan on Tuesday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 6 miles (10 km) formed at the center of Gaemi’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storm.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Gaemi.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Gaemi was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Gaemi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 345 miles (555 km) from the center of Typhoon Gaemi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Gaemi was 28.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 31.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 59.3.  Typhoon Gaemi was similar in size to Hurricane Wilma when Wilma hit South Florida in 2005.  Gaemi is stronger than Wilma was when it hit South Florida.

Typhoon Gaemi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Gaemi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Gaemi could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Gaemi will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Typhoon Gaemi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Gaemi will approach the coast of northeastern Taiwan in 12 hours.

Typhoon Gaemi will bring very strong winds and torrential rain to Taiwan.  Gaemi will be capable of causing extensive severe damage.  Heavy rain is likely to cause widespread flash floods.  Typhoon Gaemi will also be capable of causing a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the east coast of Taiwan.

Typhoon Gaemi will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands.  The strongest part Gaemi’s circulation will pass southwest of the Ryukyu Islands, but the typhoon is likely to some wind damage.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Gaemi will move toward the east coast of China after is crosses northern Taiwan.  Gaemi could approach the coast of China in less than 36 hours.  Typhoon Gaemi will weaken when it moves over Taiwan, but Gaemi could still be a typhoon when it reaches China.

Elsewhere, former Tropical Storm Prapiroon weakened to a tropical depression over northern Vietnam.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Prapiroon was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 107.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Lang Son, Vietnam.  Prapiroon was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 994 mb.

Gaemi Intensifies to Typhoon Southeast of Taiwan

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Former Tropical Storm Gaemi intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoo Gaemi was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 124.7°E which put the center about 405 miles (655 km) southeast of Hualien, Taiwan.  Gaemi was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 977 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Gaemi exhibited more organization on Monday as it strengthened to a typhoon.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gaemi’s circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Typhoon Gaemi.  A ring of showers and thunderstorms surrounded the developing eye.  The ring was thickest in the southeastern side of the eye and thinnest in the northwestern side.  Other bands of thunderstorms were occurring southern and eastern parts of Gaemi’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Typhoon Gaemi consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Gaemi.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Gaemi’s circulation.

Typhoon Gaemi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gaemi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Gaemi will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Gaemi will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Typhoon Gaemi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Gaemi will approach the east coast of Taiwan in 36 hours.

Typhoon Gaemi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan during the middle of the week.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Prapiroon brought wind and rain to northern Vietnam.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 107.9°E which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) east of Cam Pha, Vietnam.  Prapiroon 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 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon Brings Wind and Rain to Hainan

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Tropical Storm Prapiroon brought wind and rain to Hainan on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 109.9°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) south-southwest of Haikou, China.  Prapiroon was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 Prapiroon intensified on Sunday before the center moved over Hainan.  Microwave satellite images indicated that an eye was in the process of forming at the center of Prapiroon’s circulation as the tropical storm made landfall in Hainan.  The formative 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 center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon.

The center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon made landfall on the south coast of Hainan near Lingshui.  The core of Prapiroon’s circulation moved across the center of Hainan.  Storms near the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon brought heavy rain and strong winds to much of Hainan.  Bands in the northern part of Hainan’s circulation were also bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of southern China.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Prapiroon toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Prapiroon will move over the Gulf of Tonkin on Monday.  The center of Prapiroon’s circulation could approach the southern coast of China in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon will continue to cause strong winds and locally heavy rain in Hainan during the next few hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Prapiroon will also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of southern China and northeastern Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened east of Luzon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Gaemi was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 125.7°E which put the center about 525 miles (845 km) south of Ishigakijima, Japan.  Gaemi was moving toward the north-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon Forms Over South China Sea

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Tropical Storm Prapiroon formed over the South China Sea on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 111.2°E which put the center about 260 miles (460 km) south-southeast of Haikou, China.  Prapiroon was moving toward the west 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 998 mb.

Former Tropical Depression 04W strengthened on Saturday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Prapiroon.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Prapiroon was exhibiting a little more organization.  There were not a lot of thunderstorms near the center of Prapiroon’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon.

Although the circulation around Tropical Storm Prapiroon was large, the area of stronger winds was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Prapiroon’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Prapiroon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Prapiroon’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent some strengthening.  Tropical Storm Prapiroon could intensify a little during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Prapiroon toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Prapiroon will move toward Hainan.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Hainan during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened gradually east of the Philippines.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gaemi was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 125.5°E which put the center about 485 miles (780 km) south of Ishigakijima, Japan.  Gaemi was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

Tropical Storm Gaemi Forms East of the Philippines

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Tropical Storm Gaemi formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines early on Saturday.   At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gaemi was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 128.2°E which put the center about 520 miles (840 km) south-southeast of Ishigakijima, Japan.  Gaemi 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened early on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Gaemi.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Gaemi was starting to exhibit more organization.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Gaemi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Gaemi.  Storms near the center of Gaemi started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Gaemi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gaemi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gaemi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gaemi is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.  Gaemi could strengthen to a typhoon by early next week.

Tropical Storm Gaemi will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gaemi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gaemi will move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Gaemi could be a typhoon when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands early next week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 04W formed over the South China Sea.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 04W was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 113.8°E which put the center about 360 miles (580 km) southeast of Haikou, China.   The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Maliksi Drops Rain on Southeastern China

Former Tropical Storm Maliksi dropped rain on parts of southeastern China on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Maliksi was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 112.0°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) west of Guangzhou, China. Maliksi was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

Former Tropical Storm Maliksi weakened to a tropical depression after it made landfall on the coast of southern China west of Hong Kong late on Friday. Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Maliksi’s circulation. Some of those thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain on parts of southeastern China. Heavy rain was falling in parts of Guangdong. Prolonged heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

The circulation around Tropical Depression Maliksi will continue to weaken as it moves over southeastern China. Maliksi could dissipate by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Maliksi Forms Southwest of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Maliksi formed over the South China Sea southwest of Hong Kong on Friday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Maliksi was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 111.6°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) west-southwest of Hong Kong. Maliksi was moving toward the north-northwest 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 998 mb.

A low pressure system over the South China Sea southwest of Hong Kong strengthened on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Maliksi. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Maliksi was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Maliksi’s circulation. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Maliksi was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) in the southeastern part of Maliksi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northwestern side of Maliksi.

Tropical Storm Maliksi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Maliksi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Maliksi’s circulation. Those winds will also cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Maliksi could intensify a little during the next few hours.

Tropical Storm Maliksi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure will steer Maliksi toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Maliksi will make landfall in southern China in a few hours. Maliksi will drop heavy rain over parts of southern China. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Sanba Drops Heavy Rain on Southern China

Tropical Storm Sanba dropped heavy rain on parts of southern China on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sanba was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 109.2°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Beihai China. Sanba was moving toward the north-northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1001 mb.

Tropical Storm Sanba dropped heavy rain on parts of Guangxi and Guangdong in southern China on Thursday. The center of Sanba’s circulation was still over the northeastern Gulf of Tonkin. Much of the northern half of Tropical Storm Sanba was over southern China. Part of the eastern side of Sanba’s circulation was over Hainan. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Sanba.

An upper level trough over eastern Asia and an upper level ridge centered north of the Philippines were interacting to produce southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Sanba’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were also causing the distribution of thunderstorms to be asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Sanba. Bands in the southern and western parts of Sanba’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Sanba will be in an environment that is mostly unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sanba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. The upper level trough over eastern Asia and the upper level ridge north of the Philippines will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. Almost half of Sanba’s circulation will be over land and increased friction will slow the wind in those areas. Tropical Storm Sanba is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours even if the center of circulation does not move over southern China.

The movement of Tropical Storm Sanba during the next 24 hours will depend on how strong the vertical wind shear is. If the wind shear is moderate and the upper and lower parts of Sanba’s circulation remain connected, then southwesterly winds will steer Tropical Storm Sanba toward the north-northeast. If Sanba moves north-northeast it will move inland over southern China. If the vertical wind shear gets stronger, then the upper level winds will push the top part of Sanba’s circulation toward the north-northeast. If the wind shear rips the top off of Tropical Storm Sanba, then the lower part of the circulation could meander over the northeastern Gulf of Tonkin during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sanba will continue to drop heavy rain over southern China during the next 24 hours. Heavy rain will fall on parts of Guangxi and Guangdong. Prolonged heavy rain will cause floods in some locations.