Tag Archives: Guangdong

Typhoon Matmo Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Typhoon Matmo brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 110.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west of Zhanjiang, China.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (25 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 966 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of southern China on Sunday morning.  The center of Matmo made landfall near Zhanjiang.

Typhoon Matmo was a large typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Matmo was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size index (HWISI) was 41.0.  Typhoon Matmo was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will move inland near the coast of southern China.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast.  Typhoon Matmo will drop heavy rain on parts of northern Vietnam early next week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened to Tropical Storm Halong east of Iwo To.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 142.0°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east of Iwo To.   Halong was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 994 mb.

Typhoon Matmo Passes South of Hong Kong

Typhoon Matmo passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 113.4°E which put the center about 225 miles (370 km) south of Hong Kong, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 984 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened as it passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  A circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Matmo.  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 Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Matmo 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 Matmo increased on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

Typhoon Matmo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Matmo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Matmo will intensify during the next 12 hours. .

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will approach the  southern coast of China in 12 hours.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 28W formed east of Iwo To.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 28W was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 63.1°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) east of Iwo To.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Makes Landfall in Southern China

Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on the coast of southern China east of Yangjiang on Wednesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 21.9°N and longitude 110.5°E which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Yangjiang, China.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 96 mb.

The center of Typhoon Ragasa made landfall on the coast of southern China east of Yangjiang on Wednesday morning.  Ragasa was a large and powerful typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.7.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will move westward near the coast of southern China.  Ragasa will move over northern Vietnam on Thursday.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guangxi, western Guangdong, and northern Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.  Ragasa could also drop heavy rain on parts of northern Vietnam and northern Laos.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bualoi was strengthening east of the Philippines and Tropical Storm Neoguri was spinning far to the east of Japan.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 10.6°N and longitude 130.5°E which put the center about 375 miles (605 km) east-southeast of Tacloban, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 994 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 156.8°E which put the center about 1060 miles (1710 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 980 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Brings Wind and Rain to Hong Kong

Typhoon Ragasa brought wind and rain to Hong Kong on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 113.2°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Ragasa 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 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 944 mb.

The center of Typhoon Ragasa passed south of Hong Kong on Tuesday night.  A weather station at the airport in Hong Kong (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 47 kt (54 m.p.h. or 87 km/h) and a wind gust of 66 kt (76 m.p.h. or 122 km/h).

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall in Typhoon Ragasa as it was passing south of Hong Kong.  A second outer eyewall appeared to be developing.  The formation of concentric eyewalls could start another eyewall replacement cycle.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 45.9.  Typhoon Ragasa is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Ragasa is larger than Harvey was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next few hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Typhoon Ragasa will move through a favorable environment, another eyewall replacement cycle would cause Ragasa to weaken.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will make landfall on the coast of southern China west of Macau in 12 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guangxi and to western Guangdong.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along portions of the coast.  Ragasa could also drop heavy rain over northern parts of Vietnam and Laos.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bualoi formed east of the Philippines and former Typhoon Neoguri weakened to a tropical storm far to the east of Japan.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bualoi was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 133.4°E which put the center about 535 miles (865 km) east of Surigao, Philippines.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-southwest 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 1002 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 154.6°E which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 978 mb.

Tropical Storm Mitag Brings Wind and Rain to Southeastern China

Tropical Storm Mitag brought wind and rain to southeastern China on Friday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 115.1°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east-northeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the north-northwest 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 997 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Mitag made landfall on the coast of southeastern China east of Hong Kong on Thursday night.  Mitag was bringing wind and rain to parts of Guangdong.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Mitag’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will move inland over Guangdong.  The center of Mitag’s circulation will pass north of Hong Kong.

Tropical Storm Mitag will weaken gradually as it moves over southern China.  Mitag will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Guangdong during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa moved slowly toward northern Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened southeast of Japan.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 130.5°E which put the center about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1000 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 159.8°E which put the center about 1450 miles (2340 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 994 mb.

Typhoon Tapah Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Typhoon Tapah brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Tapah was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 112.2°E which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) west of Macau.  Tapah was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Tapah strengthened to a typhoon just before it made landfall on the coast of southern China on Sunday night.  The center of Typhoon Tapah made landfall about 75 miles (120 km) west of Macau.

The strongest winds in Typhoon Tapah were occurring in the southern part of Tapah’s circulation which was still over the South China Sea.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Tapan.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Tapah’s circulation.

Typhoon Tapah will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Tapah toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Tapah will move inland over Guangdong and Guangxi.

Typhoon Tapah will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Tapah will weaken steadily as it move inland over southern China.  Tapah will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Guangxi.

 

Tropical Storm Tapah Nears Southern China

Tropical Storm Tapah was nearing the coast of southern China on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Tapah was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 113.4°E which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) south of Macau.  Tapah was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 991 mb.

Tropical Storm Tapah was strengthening as it neared the coast of southern China on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern side of the center of Tapah’s circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Tapah.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tapah’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Tapah generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southwest of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Tapah became more symmetrical on Sunday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Tapah’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Tapah will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Tapah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tapah’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Tapah will intensify during the next 12 hours.  Tapah could strengthen to a typhoon before it reaches the coast of southern China.

Tropical Storm Tapah will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Tapah toward the northwest during the next 12 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Tapah will make landfall on the coast of southern China west of Macau in 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Tapah could intensify to a typhoon before it makes landfall on the coast of southern China.  Tapah will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Wipha Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Tropical Storm Wipha brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 111.2°E which put the center about 70 miles (110 km) east-northeast of Zhanjiang, China.  Wipha was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 980 mb.

Former Typhoon Wipha weakened to a tropical storm after it made landfall on the coast of southern China west of Hong Kong.  Tropical Storm Wipha was bringing strong winds and heavy rain to parts of southern China on Sunday.

A weather station at Hong Kong airport (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 46 knots (53 m.p.h. or 85 km/h) as the center of then Typhoon Wipha passed south of the station.  The same weather station also reported a wind gust of 65 knots (75 m.p.h. or 120 km/h).

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha remains well organized even though the center of Wipha’s circulation has been overland for a few hours.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounds the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.  The strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms are occurring in bands in the western side of Wipha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Wipha consist primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Wipha are occurring in the part of Wipha’s circulation that is over the northern South China Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Wipha will move along the coast of southern China during the next 12 hours.  The center of Wipha’s circulation could move over the northern Gulf of Tonkin on Monday.

Tropical Storm Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Storm Wipha will also produce strong winds and heavy rain in southern Guangxi and in Hainan.  Tropical Storm Wipha could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Vietnam early next week.

Tropical Storm Wipha will weaken slowly as long as the center of circulation remains over land.  If the center of Wipha’s circulation  moves over the Gulf of Tonkin on Monday, then Wipha would move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Tropical Storm Wipha would move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It would move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Wipha could intensify a little  on Monday if the center of Wipha’s circulation moves over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Wipha Intensifies to a Typhoon Near Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Wipha intensified to a typhoon near Hong Kong on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Wipha was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 113.9°E which put the center about 55 miles (95 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Wipha was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Wipha intensified to a typhoon on Saturday night near Hong Kong.  The center of Typhoon Wipha was still over water just to the south-southeast of Hong Kong.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Wipha’s circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Typhoon Wipha. Bands in the northern part of Wipha’s circulation  consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Wipha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southwest of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southern side of Typhoon Wipha.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the southern half of Wipha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km from the center of Typhoon Wipha.

Typhoon Wipha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours . Wipha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Wipha could intensify a little more during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Wipha will pass just south of Hong Kong during the next few hours.  The center of Wipha’s circulation will also pass just south of Macau.  The center of Typhoon Wipha could be near Yangjiang in 18 hours.

Typhoon Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Wipha will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern Guangdong including Macau.  Typhoon Wipha will produce strong wins and heavy rain in southern Guangxi and in Hainan.

Tropical Storm Wipha Strengthens

Tropical Storm Wipha strengthened as it moved closer to Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 117.1°E which put the center about 240 miles (390 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong.  Wipha was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 976 mb.

Tropical Storm Wipha strengthened on Saturday as it moved closer to Hong Kong.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Wipha’s circulation.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Wipha’s circulation.  Bands in the northwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Wipha consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Wipha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southwest of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) from the center of Wipha’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Wipha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Wipha could intensify during the next 12 hours.  Wipha could strengthen to a typhoon during that time.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west-northwest during the next 18 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Wipha will be near Hong Kong in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Wipha will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern Guangdong.