Tag Archives: Ewiniar

Tropical Storm Maliksi Forms East of Luzon, Ewiniar Brings Rain to South China.

Tropical Storm Maliksi formed east of Luzon on Thursday while Tropical Storm Ewiniar brought rain to parts of South China.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Maliksi was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 127.7°E which put it about 330 miles (535 km) east of Luzon.  Maliksi was moving toward the north 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 996 mb.

The Japan Meteorological Agency designated an area of low pressure east of Luzon as Tropical Storm Maliksi late on Thursday.  There was a large counterclockwise circulation east of Luzon, but there were few thunderstorms near the center of the circulation.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in three bands in the outer portions of the circulation.  One band was located well to the west of the center of circulation, a second band was located well to the north of the center and the third band was located well to the east of the center.  The winds to tropical storm force were occurring in those bands.

Tropical Storm Maliksi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Maliksi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  Maliksi will move underneath an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The large circulation will be the primary factor inhibiting intensification in the short term.  Maliksi will intensify slowly until thunderstorms develop near the center of circulation and the strongest winds occur closer to the center.

Tropical Storm Maliksi will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Maliksi slowly toward the north.  When Tropical Storm Maliksi moves farther to the north westerly winds will begin to steer it toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Maliksi will remain east of Luzon.  The circulation of Maliksi is so large that rainbands on the western side of the circulation could affect the northern Philippines.

Elsewhere over the western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ewiniar brought heavy rain to parts of South China.  Ewiniar made landfall on the coast of China near Yangjiang on Thursday.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Ewiniar was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 112.1°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Yangjiang, China.  Ewiniar was moving toward the north at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

The center of Tropical Storm Ewiniar was moving farther inland over South China.  The winds to tropical storm force were occurring in rainbands that were still over the South China Sea.  Ewiniar was dropping heavy rain over parts of western Guangdong province and over southern Zizhiqu province.  The heavy rain could cause flooding in those areas.

Tropical Storm Ewiniar Forms Near Coast of South China

Tropical Storm Ewiniar formed near the coast of South China late on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Ewiniar was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 110.5°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Zhanjiang, China.  Ewiniar was moving toward the northwest 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.

A distinct low level center of circulation consolidated in a cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving over the South China Sea near Hainan Island on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Ewiniar.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms developed west of the center of circulation.  Bands east of the center consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force were occurring within 60 miles (95 km) of the center o circulation.

Tropical Storm Ewiniar has 12 to 24 hours during which it could intensify if the center remains over water.  The Sea Surface Temperature of the water near the coast of South China is about 30°C.  Ewiniar is under the southwestern portion of a narrow upper level ridge.  The ridge is producing weak southerly winds which are blowing 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.  Even though the atmospheric and oceanic environments are favorable for intensification, a portion of the circulation of Tropical Storm Ewiniar is already over land.  The friction caused by the flow of air over the land will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Ewiniar could intensify a little more if the center remains over water.

The upper level ridge was steering Tropical Storm Ewiniar toward the northwest.  A general motion toward the north is expected for the next 24 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Ewiniar will move near the east coast of the Leizhou Peninsula.  Ewiniar could move inland near Wuchuan and Dianbai.  Tropical Storm Ewiniar will bring some gust winds to South China, but the greater risks are the potential for heavy rain and floods.