Tag Archives: Chuuk

Sinlaku Rapidly Intensifies to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Sinlaku rapidly intensified to a typhoon southeast of Guam on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Sinlaku was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 151.5°E which put the center about 575 miles (930 km) southeast of Guam.  Sinlaku was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 972 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Sinlaku rapidly intensified to a typhoon on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Sinlaku generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Sinlaku increased on Friday as Sinlaku rapidly intensified.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.

Typhoon Sinlaku will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sinlaku 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 Sinlaku will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Sinlaku could continue to intensify rapidly.  Typhoon Sinlaku is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Sinlaku will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sinlaku toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Sinlaku will move toward the southern Marianas.  Sinlaku will approach Guam in less than three days.

Typhoon Sinlaku will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain over Chuuk before it moves farther away on Saturday.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Sinlaku will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Guam.  Sinlaku could bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to Guam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku Forms Southeast of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Sinlaku formed southeast of the Marianas on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sinlaku was located at latitude 8.4°N and longitude 151.5°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) north-northwest of Chuuk.  Sinlaku was moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Marianas strengthened on Thursday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Sinlaku.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Sinlaku exhibited more organization on Thursday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Sinlaku.  Storms near the center of Sinlaku began to generate 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 around Tropical Storm Sinlaku was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sinlaku 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 that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Sinlaku will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Sinlaku is likely to strengthen to a typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sinlaku toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sinlaku will move away from Chuuk,  Sinlaku could approach Guam in three or four days.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku will produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain over Chuuk before it moves farther away on Friday.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Sanvu Spins Northeast of Chuuk

Tropical Storm Sanvu was spinning over the Western North Pacific Ocean northeast of Chuuk on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Sanvu was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 156.0°E which put it about 345 miles (555 km) northeast of Chuuk. Sanvu was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 Sanvu strengthened during Thursday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Sanvu’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Even though Tropical Storm Sanvu strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms became more asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Sanvu’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Sanvu.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sanvu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. However, it will move under the northern side of an upper level ridge over the equatorial Western North Pacific. The ridge will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Sanvu’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Stronger vertical wind shear is likely to cause Tropical Storm Sanvu to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sanvu toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sanvu will pass north of Chuuk and Fananu during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Sanvu Develops Northwest of Pohnpei

Tropical Storm Sanvu developed over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Pohnpei on Wednesday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sanvu was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 156.8°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) north-northwest of Pohnpei. Sanvu was moving toward the northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

Former Tropical Depression 01W strengthened on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Sanvu. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Sanvu’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving 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 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sanvu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the equatorial Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Sanvu could intensify during the next 24 hours. Sanvu will move under the northern side of the upper level ridge on Friday and the vertical wind shear will increase. Tropical Storm Sanvu is likely to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Sanvu will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sanvu toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sanvu will move farther away from Pohnpei. Sanvu will be northeast of Chuuk and Fananu on Thursday evening.

Tropical Depression 01W Forms South of Pohnpei

Tropical Depression 01W formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Pohnpei on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 01W was located at latitude 5.2°N and longitude 158.2°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) south of Pohnpei. Tropical Depression 01W was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Pohnpei strengthened on Wednesday morning and both the Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified the system as a tropical depression. The circulation around Tropical Depression 01W exhibited more organization on Wednesday morning. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Depression 01W. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression 01W will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the equatorial Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Depression 01W is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression 01W will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression 01W will pass west of Pohnpei. The tropical depression could be northeast of Chuuk and east of Fananu on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Wutip Forms Southeast of Chuuk

Tropical Storm Wutip formed southeast of Chuuk on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Wutip was located at latitude 4.6°N and longitude 155.2°E which put it about 295 miles (475 km) southeast of Chuuk.  Wutip was moving toward the west 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 1000 mb.

A Typhoon Watch was issued for Puluwat and Satawal.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Nukuoro, Losep, and Chuuk.  A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Fananu and Ulul.

Thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of Chuuk on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Wutip.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Wutip and those storms were starting to generate upper level divergence.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed in the northern and western portions of the circulation.  Bands south and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds although there were a few thunderstorms in some of those bands.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (245 km) from the center of circulation in the northern half of Wutip and out about 100 miles (160 km) in the southern half of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Wutip will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Wutip will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge east of Tropical Storm Wutip will produce easterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear.  However, the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Wutip will intensify during the next several days.  Wutip could strengthen into a typhoon with 24 to 36 hours.  A period of rapid intensification could occur once an inner core becomes more well organized.  Tropical Storm Wutip could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane in three or four days.

Tropical Storm Wutip will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Wutip toward the northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wutip could approach Guam in three days.  Wutip is likely to be a typhoon at that time.

Tropical Storm Man-yi Forms Southeast of Chuuk

Tropical Storm Man-yi formed southeast of Chuuk on Tuesday.  At 7:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Man-yi was located at latitude 4.8°N and longitude 154.2°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) southeast of Chuuk.  Man-yi was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Guam and Rota.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Chuuk Lagoon, Lukunor, Losap, Fananu, Ulul, Pulawat and Satawal.  Typhoon Watches were issued for Faraulep and Pulawat.

Tropical Depression 34W exhibited greater organization on satellite imagery and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Man-yi.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band west of the center.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing around Tropical Storm Man-yi.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Man-yi will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Man-yi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Man-yi will intensify and it could strengthen into a typhoon in a day or two.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Storm Man-yi toward the west-northwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  A weakness is forecast to develop in the ridge, which would allow Man-yi to move more toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Man-yi will move near Chuuk in 12 to 24 hours.  It will bring gusty winds and drop heavy rain.  Man-yi could be southeast of Guam in 36 to 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean Tropical Depression 33W was dropping rain over parts of the central Philippines and Tropical Depression Toraji was moving over the Gulf of Thailand.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression 33W was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 126.8°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east-southeast of Tacloban, Philippines.  It was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1004 mb.

At 4:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Depression Toraji was located at latitude 8.1°N and longitude 101.1°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east of Hua Sai, Malaysia.  Toraji was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Yutu Forms Southeast of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Yutu formed southeast of the Marianas on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yutu was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put it about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Guam.  Yutu was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area or thunderstorms northeast of Chuuk and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Yutu.  The circulation around Yutu was organizing quickly.  An inner band of showers and thunderstorms was wrapping around the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming and they were starting to revolving around the center.  Storms near the center were producing upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Yutu will be moving through an environment that is very favorable for intensification.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and there will little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Yutu could strengthen into a typhoon within 36 hours and it could rapidly intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane within three or four days.

Tropical Storm Yutu will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next few days.  The ridge will steer Yutu toward the northwest during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Yutu will approach the Marianas in about three days.  It will likely be a typhoon by that time.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Near Fananu, Watch Issued for Guam

Tropical Storm In-Fa is near Fananu and it is bringing wind and rain to islands around Chuuk.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located near latitude 8.6°N and longitude 152.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Fananu and about 620 miles (1000 km) southeast of Guam.  In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Guam.  A Typhoon Warning is in effect for Chuuk lagoon, Losap, Ulul and Fananu.

In-Fa was briefly a typhoon earlier on Wednesday when it had a small, but well formed eye.  However, the core of In-Fa weakened slightly and the eye filled with clouds.  A small, but circular, area of thunderstorms has intensified in the core of the tropical storm during the past few hours.  There are signs that In-Fa may be strengthening again.  The environment surrounding Tropical Storm In-Fa is favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  The upper level winds are light and the vertical wind shear is modest.  In-Fa could regain typhoon intensity on Thursday and a period of rapid intensification may be possible once the inner core reorganizes.

A subtropical ridge north of In-Fa is steering the tropical storm toward the northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for another two or three days.  On its anticipated track the center of In-Fa will pass near Fananu during the next few hours.  In-Fa could be south of Guam in about 48 hours.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Intensifying, Typhoon Watch for Fananu

Tropical Storm In-Fa intensified quickly on Tuesday and it caused watches and warnings to be issued for the area around Chuuk.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 6.0°N and longitude 156.3°E which put it about 385 miles (620 km) east-southeast of Fananu and about 985 miles (1590 km) east-southeast of Guam.  In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest 18 m.p.h. (29 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 983 mb.  A Typhoon Watch has been issued for Fananu.

The circulation of Tropical Storm In-Fa organized rapidly on Tuesday.  A tight core formed in the center of circulation and an eyelike feature appeared on satellite images.  A small ring of thunderstorms formed around the eye and a large primary rainband wrapped around the circulation.  The circulation became more symmetrical and upper level outflow began to create divergence in most directions.

Tropical Storm In-Fa remains in an environment favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.   The upper level winds are light and the vertical wind shear is modest.  In-Fa is likely to continue to intensify and now that an inner core has developed, it could intensify rapidly.  In-Fa could become a typhoon on Wednesday and it could become the equivalent of a major hurricane later this week.

A subtropical ridge north of In-Fa is steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for the rest of the week.  On its anticipated track In-Fa will approach Fananu in about 24 hours and it could be a typhoon at that time.  In-Fa could be approaching Guam in about three days as a typhoon.