Tag Archives: China

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.

Tropical Storm Bolaven Moves Toward the Marianas

Tropical Storm Bolaven moved toward the Marianas on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Bolaven was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 149.9°E which put it about 410 miles (660 km) east-southeast of Guam. Bolaven was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

A Typhoon Watch was in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for Guam.

Tropical Storm Bolaven strengthened on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Bolaven’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (100 km) from the center of Bolaven.

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

Tropical Storm Bolaven will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Bolaven toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bolaven will move closer to the Marianas. Bolaven could reach the Marianas in less than 36 hours. Bolaven will very likely be a typhoon when it reaches the Marianas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Typhoon Koinu made landfall on the coast of China west of Hong Kong on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Koinu was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 112.9°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) west-southeast of Hong Kong. Koinu was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 988 mb.

Typhoon Koinu Lingers Near Hong Kong

Typhoon Koinu lingered over the Western North Pacific Ocean near Hong Kong on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Koinu was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 114.4°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong. Koinu was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 968 mb.

Typhoon Koinu weakened gradually on Saturday as it lingered near Hong Kong. Since Koinu moved very slowly, the strong winds in the lower atmosphere mixed cooler water to the surface of the ocean. Koinu was unable to extract as much energy from the cooler water and the typhoon weakened. Thunderstorms in Typhoon Koinu did not rise quite as high into the atmosphere.

Even though Typhoon Koinu weakened on Saturday, it still exhibited a well organized circulation. A very small eye was present at the center of Koinu’s circulation. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall, and concentric eyewalls could be developing. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the small core of Typhoon Koinu. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Koinu decreased as Koinu gradually weakened. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Koinu’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Koinu was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.6. and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 25.1.

Typhoon Koinu will move through an environment somewhat unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Koinu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under axis of an upper level ridge over China. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, strong winds in the lower atmosphere will continue to mix cooler water to the surface of the ocean. In addition, the circulation around the northern side of Typhoon Koinu could draw in some drier air from China. Typhoon Koinu is likely to continue to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours due to the mix of cooler water to the surface of the ocean.

Typhoon Koinu will move will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern Asia. The high pressure system will steer Koinu slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center Typhoon Koinu will move south of Hong Kong on Sunday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 15W strengthened to Tropical Storm Bolaven east-southeast of Guam. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Bolaven was located at latitude 9.6°N and longitude 152.9°E which put it about 630 miles (1020 km) east-southeast of Guam. Bolaven was moving toward the west-northwest 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. Typhoon Watches were in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

Typhoon Koinu Moves Toward Hong Kong

Typhoon Koinu moved toward Hong Kong on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Koinu was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 117.4°E which put it about 225 miles (365 km) east of Hong Kong. Koinu was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 967 mb.

Typhoon Koinu moved over the South China Sea toward Hong Kong on Thursday. Koinu was weaker and smaller after passing over southern Taiwan on Wednesday. The circulation around Typhoon Koinu started to exhibit more organization again on Thursday evening. A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (30 km) was at the center of Koinu’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 revolved around the core of Typhoon Koinu. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Wins to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Typhoon Koinu. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 285 miles (460 km) in the northeast quadrant of Koinu’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) in the other parts of Typhoon Koinu.

Typhoon Koinu will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Koinu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Koinu’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification. The circulation around the northern side of Typhoon Koinu could start to draw in some drier air from China. Typhoon Koinu could intensify during the next 24 hours if the drier air does not reach the inner core of the circulation.

Typhoon Koinu will move will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern Asia and the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Koinu toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center Typhoon Koinu will move closer to Hong Kong on Friday.

Tropical Storm Haikui Makes Landfall near Shantou, China

The center of Tropical Storm Haikui made landfall on the coast of eastern China near Shantou on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Haikui was located at latitude 23.7°N and longitude 117.0°E which put it about 15 miles (20 km) northeast of Shantou, China. Haikui 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 996 mb.

Former Typhoon Haikui weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across the Taiwan Strait. The lower levels of circulation around Haikui were disrupted by the mountains on Taiwan. The disruption caused Haikui to weaken steadily before it made landfall in China. Many of the bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Haikui consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. There were thunderstorms in a band just to the south of the center of Haikui’s circulation. There were also thunderstorms in a band in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Haikui.

Tropical Storm Haikui will move toward the west over eastern China. Haikui will weaken to a tropical depression as it moves inland. Tropical Storm Haikui will bring gusty winds and isolated heavy rain to eastern Guangdong province.

Typhoon Haikui Moves over the Taiwan Strait

Typhoon Haikui moved over the Taiwan Strait on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Haikui was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 119.6°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Haikui was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 966 mb.

Typhoon Haikui brought strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan on Sunday. A weather station at the airport in Taipei (RCTP) reported a sustained wind speed of 35 m.p.h. (55km/h) and a wind gust of 49 m.p.h. (79 km/h). A weather station in Taitung (RCFN) reported a sustained wind speed of 56 m.p.h. (91 km/h) and a wind gust of 87 m.p.h. (140 km/h). A weather station in Kaohsiung (RCKH) reported a sustained wind speed of 39 m.p.h. (63 km/h) and a wind gust of 62 m.p.h. (100 km/h). Bands in the eastern part of Typhoon Haikui were still dropping heavy rain over parts of Taiwan on Sunday night.

The lower levels of the circulation of Typhoon Haikui were disrupted when Haikui moved over the mountains on Taiwan. There was no longer an eye at the center of Haikui’s circulation. The circulation in the middle and upper level of Typhoon Haikui remained relatively intact. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Haikui’s circulation. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km/h) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Typhoon Haikui.

Typhoon Haikui will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Haikui toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Haikui will approach the east coast of China between Shantou and Xiamen within 24 hours.

Typhoon Haikui will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Haikui will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under an upper level ridge centered northwest of Taiwan. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and the will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Haikui may not intensify during the next 24 hours even though it will move through a favorable environment. The lower levels of Haikui’s circulation will gradually reorganize now that the center of circulation is back over water. However, there may not be enough time for an eye to develop again before Haikui reaches the east coast of China. If the inner core of Typhoon Haikui does not develop again, then it will be unlikely to strengthen.

Typhoon Haikui Hits Taiwan

Typhoon Haikui hit Taiwan on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Haikui was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 121.1°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) northeast of Taitung, Taiwan. Haikui was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 947 mb.

The center of Typhoon Haikui made landfall on the southeast coast of Taiwan just to the northeast of Taitung on Sunday morning. Haikui intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane as it approached the coast of Taiwan. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Haikui was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.1. Typhoon Haikui was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Typhoon Haikui brought strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Taiwan. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Haikui’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

The center of Typhoon Haikui will move across southern Taiwan during the next few hours. Haikui’will produce strong, gusty winds in much of Taiwan. Typhoon Haikui is capable of causing regional major damage. Widespread outages of electricity are likely. Heavy rains will cause flash floods, especially near mountains.

The center of Typhoon Haikui will be near Kaohsiung in a few hours. Haikui will weaken as it moves across southern Taiwan. Mountains in Taiwan could will disrupt the circulation in the lower levels of Typhoon Haikui. The circulation in the middle and upper troposphere will remain move relatively intact. Haikui will move over the South China Sea later on Sunday. Typhoon Haikui could approach the coast of China near Shantou in less than 36 hours.

Typhoon Haikui Nears Taiwan

Typhoon Haikui neared Taiwan on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Haikui was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 122.7°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Taitung, Taiwan. Haikui was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 958 mb.

Typhoon Haikui intensified as it neared Taiwan on Saturday. A small circular eye was at the center of Haikui’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Haikui. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau’s radar images indicated that Typhoon Haikui was very symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Haikui’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Haikui was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.5. Typhoon Haikui was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Typhoon Haikui will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Haikui will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge centered north of Taiwan. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Haikui’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Haikui is likely to continue to intensify during the next few hours until it makes landfall on Taiwan.

Typhoon Haikui will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Haikui toward the west- northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Haikui will move landfall on the coast of southeast Taiwan near Taitung in nine hours.

Typhoon Haikui will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan. Haikui will be capable of causing regional serious damage. The heaviest rain will fall on the eastern sides of mountains where the wind will push air up the slopes. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Typhoon Saola weakened to a tropical storm along the coast of southern China and former Tropical Storm Kirogi weakened to a tropical depression south of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Saola was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 109.5°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) east-northeast of Beihai, China. Saola was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 991 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Kirogi was located at latitude 29.6°N and longitude 142.0°E which put it about 370 miles (595 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Kirogi was moving toward the northwest at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Saola Brings Wind and Rain to Hong Kong

Typhoon Saloa brought strong winds and heavy rain to Hong Kong on Friday morning. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 114.0°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Saola was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 938 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Saloa brought strong winds and heavy rain to Hong Kong on Friday morning. The Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 63 m.p.h. (102 km/h) and a wind gust of 85 m.p.h. (139 km/h). The strongest winds in Typhoon Saola were occurring in the South China Sea just to the south of Hong Kong.

Typhoon Saloa started to weaken just as it approached Hong Kong. Northerly winds blowing around the western side of Saola’s circulation pulled drier air over China into the typhoon. The drier air caused Typhoon Saola to start to weaken. Even though Saola started to weaken, it remained a powerful typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Typhoon Saola. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.6. Typhoon Saola was capable of causing region major damage.

Typhoon Saola will move south of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Saola toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola will move along the coast of Guangdong province.

Typhoon Saola will continue to produce strong winds and heavy rain in Hong Kong during the next few hours. The strong winds could cause widespread outages of electricity. The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Saloa will weaken as it pulls in more drier air. Even though Saola will weaken, strong winds and heavy rain will spread along the coastal part of Guangdong province west of Hong Kong as Typhoon Saola moves toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. Strong winds and heavy rain could reach Macau in a few hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Haikui was moving toward Taiwan and Tropical Storm Kirogi weakened east of Iwo To. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Haikui was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 127.3°E which put it about 415 miles (670 km) east of Taiwan. Haikui was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 971 mb. Typhoon Haikui could approach Taiwan in 36 hours.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Kirogi was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 149.0°E which put it about 475 miles (765 km) east of Iwo To. Kirogi was moving toward the northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 999 mb.

Typhoon Saola Nears Hong Kong

Powerful Typhoon Saola neared Hong Kong on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 21.9°N and longitude 115.9°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong. Saola was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 935 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Saola moved steadily closer to Hong Kong on Thursday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Saola’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Saola’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Saola remained relatively constant on Thursday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.5. Typhoon Saola was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ida when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level ridge winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, the circulation around Typhoon Saola could pull in some drier air over China when Saola gets closer to Hong Kong. In addition, if the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. Typhoon Saola is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours, when drier air gets pulled into its circulation.

Typhoon Saola will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Saola toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Saola will be near Hong Kong in 12 hours.

Typhoon Saola could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Hong Kong. Saola will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the area around Hong Kong. Widespread electricity outages are likely. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. There will also be a significant storm surge where the wind blows the water toward the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Haikui was moving toward Taiwan and Tropical Storm Kirogi was spinning east-southeast of Iwo To. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Haikui was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 535 miles (865 km) east of Taiwan. Haikui was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Kirogi was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 150.9°E which put it about 715 miles (1155 km) east-southeast of Iwo To. Kirogi was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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.