Tag Archives: Hainan Island

Typhoon Talim Strengthens West of Okinawa, Doksuri Moves Closer to Vietnam

Powerful Typhoon Talim strengthened west of Okinawa on Wednesday, while Typhoon Doksuri moved closer toward Vietnam.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Talim was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 210 miles (335 km) west of Okinawa.  Talim was moving toward north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 937 mb.

Talim evolved into a large powerful typhoon on Wednesday.  A large circular eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) developed at the center of Typhoon Talim.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in those storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Talim.  The thunderstorms in the core of Talim were producing upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Talim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak over the core of Talim, but there are stronger westerly winds north of the typhoon.  Talim could strengthen some more during the next 24 hours.  However, the stronger upper level winds will increase the vertical wind shear on Friday and the typhoon will start to weaken when that happens.

Typhoon Talim is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge, which is steering the typhoon toward the north-northwest.  Typhoon Talim will move north on Thursday as it rounds the western end of the ridge.  The westerly winds north of Talim will turn the typhoon toward the northeast on Friday.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Talim could approach Kyushu in two or three days.

Tropical Storm Doksuri strengthened on Wednesday as it moved closer to Vietnam.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 112.2°E which put it about 470 miles (760 km) east-southeast of Vinh, Vietnam.  Doksuri was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 978 mb.

The circulation of Doksuri became much more organized on Wednesday.  A primary rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be developing.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and began to revolved around the core of Doksuri.  Thunderstorms round the core were generating upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Doksuri will be moving through an environment that will be favorable for intensification on Thursday.  Doksuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge over eastern Asia is producing easterly winds which are causing some vertical wind shear over Doksuri.  The wind shear may slow intensification, but it will not stop it.

The ridge north of Doksuri is steering the typhoon toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Doksuri is forecast to pass south of Hainan Island.  Typhoon Doksuri could approach the coast of Vietnam in a little over 24 hours.  Doksuri could bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Vietnam.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Storm Roke Close to Landfall Near Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Roke is close to making a landfall near Hong Kong.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Roke was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 114.1°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) east of Hong Kong.  Roke was moving toward the west-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 sutface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Roke will make landfall on the coast of China near Hong Kong during the next few hours.  Roke will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall as it move inland over eastern China.  Flash flooding could occur in places that receive heavy rain.

Elsewhere, there are three more tropical storms over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  Tropical Storm 08W is the only other imminent threat to land.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm 08W was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) southeast of Hainan Island.  It was moving toward the west 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 999 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Noru was located at latitude 28.3°N and longitude 151.3°E which put it about 920 miles (1485 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Noru was moving toward west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 997 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Kulap was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 166.8°E which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) north of Wake Island.  Kulap was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 Sarika Making Landfall on Hainan Island

The center of Typhoon Sarika is making landfall on Hainan Island near Qionghai and Wanning.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Sarika was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 110.4°E which put it near Qionghai, China.  Sarika was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (18 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 976 mb.

The structure of Typhoon Sarika changed after it moved across the Philippines.  It developed a larger eye and more of the thunderstorms occurred in a primary rainband that wrapped around the western and southern parts of the circulation.  Sarika maintained that structure as it made landfall on Hainan Island, although were some indications in satellite imagery that they eye was contracting just prior to landfall.

Typhoon Sarika will weaken while the center passes over Hainan Island.  Sarika could be a tropical storm by the time the center emerges over the Gulf of Tongking.  The Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Tongking is near 31°C.  So, evaporation could provide another source of energy and moisture while the center is over water.

Typhoon Sarika is being steered toward the west-northwest by a subtropical ridge and that general motion is expected to continue for another day or so.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Sarika will spend the next few hours moving across Hainan Island.  Sarika could make another landfall over northern Vietnam and southern China in about 24 to 30 hours.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 11.5 for Typhoon Sarika.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.7.  These indices indicate that Typhoon Sarika is capable of causing regional, minor wind damage.  Sarika will also bring locally heavy which could cause floods over Hainan Island and parts of northern Vietnam and southern China.

Typhoons Sarika and Haima Churning Over Western North Pacific

Typhoons Sarika and Haima churned across the western North Pacific Ocean on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Sarika was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 113.7°E which put it about 240 miles (390 km) east-southeast of Hainan Island.  Sarika was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (27 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 970 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Haima was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 135.9°E which put it about 935 miles (1505 km) east-southeast of Luzon.  Haima was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (27 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Sarika was disrupted somewhat when it crossed northern Luzon.  Thunderstorms around the eye weakened and breaks developed in the eyewall.  More and stronger thunderstorms developed around the center of circulation today and an eye has become more apparent on satellite imagery.  Numerous rainbands are rotating around the rest of the circulation.  Upper level divergence is increasing, which will increase the removal of mass from the core of Typhoon Sarika.

Typhoon Sarika is moving through an environment that is favorable for intensification.  Sarika is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is above 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Sarika is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours and it could intensify quickly if the eye finishes reforming.

A subtropical ridge is steering Typhoon Sarika toward the west .  Sarika is nearing the western end of the ridge and the typhoon is expected to turn more toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Sarika could be near Hainan Island in about 24 hours.  After it crosses Hainan Island, Marika could approach the coast of northern Vietnam in about two days.  Typhoon Sarika will bring strong winds and very heavy rain to Hainan.  It will weaken when it moves across Hainan, but Sarika could also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to northern Vietnam and parts of southeastern China.

Typhoon Haima is developing into a very strong and dangerous typhoon.  Haima has a small eye at the center of circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of very strong thunderstorms.  Rainbands are rotating around the core of the circulation.  Thunderstorms in the core of Typhoon Haima are generating upper level divergence which is pumping out mass in all directions.

Typhoon Haima is moving through an environment that is favorable for continued intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Haima is likely to continue to intensify and it could reach super typhoon status.

A subtropical ridge is steering Typhoon Haima toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Haima could be near the northern end of Luzon in about three days.  It could be a very powerful typhoon at that time.

Tropical Storm Dianmu Forms Near Hainan Island

A center of circulation developed within a larger cyclonic rotation associated with the monsoon near Hainan Island and the Japan Meteorological Agency classified the system as Tropical Storm Dianmu.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Dianmu was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 109.7°E which put it about 265 miles (430 km) east of Hanoi, Vietnam.  Dianmu was moving toward the west 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 985 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Dianmu consists of a smaller counterclockwise rotation inside a much larger cyclonic flow associated with the monsoonal circulation.  Thunderstorms clustered around the western and southern portion of the smaller counterclockwise rotation and a distinct inner core developed that is separate from the broader center of the monsoonal gyre.  Additional spiral bands formed outside the core.  The thunderstorms are generating upper level divergence, primarily to the south and west of Tropical Storm Diamnu.

Tropical Storm Dianmu is moving through an environment that is favorable for additional strengthening.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  An upper level ridge centered over China is producing easterly winds which are blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Dianmu.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear, which is slowing the rate of intensification of the tropical storm.  The proximity of Dianmu to the coast is also slowing the rate of intensification.  Tropical Storm Dianmu has 12 to 18 hours to intensify before it moves over land.

The upper level ridge over China is steering Tropical Storm Dianmu toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Dianmu could reach the coast of Vietnam in 12 to 18 hours.  Dianmu could cause some minimal wind damage and storm surge, but heavy rain will be the greatest threat.  Tropical Storm Dianmu could cause flash flooding when it moves inland over Southeast Asia.