Tag Archives: Fung-wong

Tropical Storm Fung-wong Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Fung-wong neared the southern Ryukyu Islands on Thursday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) south-southwest of Harari, Japan.  Fung-wong was moving toward the north-northeast at13 m.p.h. (20 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 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Fung-wong was weakening gradually as it neared the southern Ryukyu Islands.  An upper level trough over east Asia was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  There was still a well defined low level center of circulation.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the center and the strongest winds were occurring near the center of Fung-wong.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and east of the center of circulation.  Bands in the southern and western parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation.

A high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and the trough over east Asia will interact to steer Tropical Storm Fung-wong toward the north-northeast during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Fung-wong will move over the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours.  The center of the tropical storm could pass close to Miyako Jima in about 12 hours.  Tropical Storm Fung-wong will continue to weaken gradually because of the moderate vertical wind shear.  Fung-wong will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to some of the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Kalmaegi was moving across the South China Sea toward Vietnam.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Kalmaegi was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 114.5°E which put it about 550 miles (890 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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.  Tropical Depression Kalmaegi could drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern Vietnam during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi brought wind and rain to northern Luzon on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 121.2°W which put it about 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Baguio, Philippines.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the south-southwest 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 987 mb.

Former Typhoon Kalmaegi weakened to a tropical storm before it made landfall on the north coast of Luzon near Aparri.  Kalmaegi was under the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge produced strong southerly winds which blew toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear which weakened thunderstorms in the southern half of the circulation.  Drier air from Asia was pulled into the western part of the tropical storm.  The stronger thunderstorms were occurring northeast of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center in most parts of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.  A high pressure system over Asia was contributing to a bigger pressure gradient in the northwestern quadrant of Kalmaegi and winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in that area.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of northern Luzon.  The heavy rain was creating the potential for flash floods.  Kalmaegi will be steered toward the southwest by the high pressure system over Asia. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will pass near Baguio.  Kalmaegi will continue to weaken as it moves over northern Luzon.  It will move over the South China Sea northwest of Manila.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of Luzon and the flash flood threat will continue for several more days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fung-wong developed east of Luzon on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST the center of Tropical Storm Fung-wong was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 127.8°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Fung-wong 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 1000 mb.  Tropical Storm Fung-wong is forecast to strengthen during the next 36 hours while it moves toward the Luzon Strait.