Tag Archives: Ho Chi Minh City

Pabuk Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Pabuk weakened to a tropical depression east of southern Vietnam during Tuesday night.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Pabuk was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 110.0°E which put the center about 260 miles (420 km) east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Pabuk was moving toward the south-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1005 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Pabuk weakened to a tropical depression during Tuesday night.  A surface high pressure over eastern Asia produced strong northeasterly winds along the east coast of Vietnam.  Those winds transported cooler, drier air into Pabuk’s circulation.  The cooler drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in former Tropical Storm Pabuk to dissipate.  Pabuk’s circulation consisted primarily of bands of showers and lower clouds revolving around the surface center.

Tropical Depression Pabuk will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pabuk’s circulation.  The combination of southeasterly winds in the upper levels and northeasterly winds in the lower levels will cause strong vertical wind shear.   The surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will continue to transport cooler, drier air into Tropical Depression Pabuk.  The combination of strong vertical wind shear and cooler, drier air will cause Tropical Depression Pabuk to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Pabuk will move around the southeastern side of the high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Pabuk toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Pabuk will remain east of Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Moves Toward Vietnam

Tropical Storm Pabuk moved slowly toward Vietnam on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 111.3°E which put the center about 335 miles (540 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Pabuk was moving toward the west-southwest 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.

Tropical Storm Pabuk was better organized in Tuesday morning.  More thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Pabuk’s circulation.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  Storms near the center of Pabuk generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and west of the tropical storm.

Even though Tropical Storm Pabuk was better organized, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western sides of Pabuk’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and eastern side of Tropical Storm Pabuk consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Pabuk’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  A surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will transport drier air around the southern side of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  The combination of drier air and moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification of Tropical Storm Pabuk during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk could strengthen a little if the vertical wind shear does not get any stronger.  Tropical Storm Pabuk is likely to weaken if the upper level winds do get stronger.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move around the southeastern side of the high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Pabuk toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pabuk will continue to move toward Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Develops East of Vietnam

Tropical Storm Pabuk developed over the South China Sea east of Vietnam on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 112.5°E which put the center about 410 miles (660 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Pabuk was moving toward the north 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 1001 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Pabuk.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Pabuk was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in a band in the northern part of Pabuk’s circulation.  The bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Pabuk consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Pabuk’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  A surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will transport drier air into the western side of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  The combination of drier air and moderate vertical wind shear is likely to cause Tropical Storm Pabuk to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move around the southeastern side of the high pressure system over eastern Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Pabuk toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pabuk will move toward Vietnam.

Tropical Depression Forms Over South China Sea

A tropical depression formed over the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the tropical Depression was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 114.4°E which put the center about 450 miles (725 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 South China Sea near the Spratly Islands exhibited more organization on Saturday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as a tropical depression.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of the tropical depression.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands to the north and west of the center.  Bands in the southern and eastern parts of the tropical depression consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and west of the tropical depression.

The tropical depression will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  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.  The tropical depression could intensify to a tropical storm on Sunday.

The tropical depression will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the tropical depression will move toward Vietnam.

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 Usagi Makes Landfall South of Ho Chi Minh City

Tropical Storm Usagi made landfall south of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Usagi was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 107.1°E which put it about 60 miles (995 km) south-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Usagi was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 984 mb.

Former Typhoon Usagi weakened as it approached the coast of southern Vietnam.  Moderate vertical wind shear caused by upper level winds blowing from the east caused Usagi to weaken slowly.  The core of Tropical Storm Usagi was still relatively intact.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the remnants of the small eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Heavy rain was falling just to the southwest of the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms were also dropping heavy rain in a couple of bands on the northeastern periphery of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Usagi will bring gusty winds to the areas south and west of Ho Chi Minh City.  Some places in southern Vietnam and Cambodia will receive locally heavy rainfall and flash floods could occur in those areas.  Usagi will weaken slowly as it move inland over southern Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Man-yi was meandering slowly southeast of Okinawa.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Man-yi was located at latitude 18.4°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 770 miles (1245 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Man-yi was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 969 mb.

Usagi Strengthens to a Typhoon East of Southern Vietnam

Former Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened into a typhoon east of southern Vietnam on Friday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Usagi was located at latitude 9.6°N and longitude 109.2°E which put it about 205 miles (335 km) east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Usagi was moving toward the west-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 977 mb.

A small circular eye was visible at the center of Typhoon Usagi on both conventional and microwave satellite imagery.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Usagi.  The strongest rain bands were in the western half of the typhoon.  Storms near the core of Usagi were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 125 miles (200 km) from the center.

Typhoon Usagi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Usagi 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, which will reduce the rate of intensification.  Typhoon Usagi will strengthen on Saturday.

The ridge north of Typhoon Usagi will steer the typhoon a little to the south of due west.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Usagi will approach the Mouths of the Mekong River in about 24 hours.  Usagi will bring strong winds and drop heavy rain on southern Vietnam.  Winds to tropical storm force could affect Ho Chi Minh City.  There could be a storm surge of 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) along the coast.  Locally heavy rain could cause floods over portions of southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Typhoon Man-yi started to weaken southeast of Okinawa.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Man-yi was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 760 miles (1230 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Man-yi was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 969 mb.

Tropical Storm Bolaven Forms Over the South China Sea

Tropical Storm Bolaven formed over the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Tuesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bolaven was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 115.1°E which put it about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Bolaven was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 low level center of circulation developed on the eastern side of a cluster of thunderstorms that moved across the southern Philippines on Monday.  The center exhibited greater organization on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Bolaven.  The structure of Tropical Storm Bolaven is asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms are occurring northwest of the center of circulation.  Thin bands of low clouds and showers were revolving around the center of circulation in the other quadrants of Tropical Storm Bolaven.

Tropical Storm Bolaven is moving around the southern side of an upper level ridge centered east of the Philippines.  The ridge is generating strong southeasterly winds which are blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear is probably the reason why most of the stronger storms are occurring northwest of the center of circulation.  Although Bolaven will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, the vertical wind shear will likely prevent intensification.  In fact if the shear increases, then Bolaven could weaken to a tropical depression.

The ridge north of Bolaven is steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bolaven could reach the coast of South Vietnam in 24 to 36 hours.  Bolaven will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern Vietnam.

Tropical Depression Tembin Passes Near Southern Tip of Vietnam

The center of Tropical Depression Tembin passed near the southern tip of Vietnam on Monday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Tembin was located at latitude 8.5°N and longitude 104.6°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Tembin was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1005 mb.

An upper level ridge north of Tropical Depression Tembin continued to produce strong easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The shear was strong enough to prevent thunderstorm from developing in most parts of the circulation of Tropical Depression Tembin.  A few thunderstorms formed in the extreme northwestern portion of the circulation, but most of the circulation consisted of bands of low clouds and showers.  The strong shear and lack of tall thunderstorms caused the wind speeds at the surface to decrease and Tembin weakened to a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Tembin will remain in an environment that is unfavorable for intensification.  Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  So, there is enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the upper ridge will continue to produce strong easterly winds.  The vertical wind shear is likely to cause the circulation of Tropical Depression Tembin to spin down.

The ridge north of Tembin has been steering the tropical depression toward the west and a general westerly motion is expected to continue for another day or two.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Tembin will move across the Gulf of Thailand.   The center of Tropical Depression Tembin could reach the coast of Thailand near Sichon in about 36 hours.

Typhoon Tembin Nears Southern Vietnam

Typhoon Tembin moved nearer to southern Vietnam on Sunday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Typhoon Tembin was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 109.3°E which put it about 290 miles (470 km) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Tembin was moving toward the west 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 979 mb.

Typhoon Tembin weakened during the past 12 hours as it moved over the South China Sea.  An upper level ridge north of Tembin generated stronger easterly winds on Sunday which increased the vertical wind shear.  The strong upper level winds weakened the rainbands in the eastern half of the circulation of Typhoon Tembin.  Those winds also tilted the upper portion of the circulation toward the west.  The low level circulation of Typhoon Tembin remained well organized, but the storms around the center weakened.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands west of the core of Tembin.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center in the northern half of the circulation and about 25 miles (40 km) in the southern half.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 155 miles (250 km) from the center.

Typhoon Tembin is likely to continue to weaken on Monday.  Typhoon Tembin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge is likely to continue to generate strong easterly winds and the significant vertical wind shear will make it difficult for tall thunderstorms to develop around much of the circulation.  The wind shear will probably weaken Tembin to a tropical storm on Monday.

The ridge north of Tembin is steering the typhoon toward the west and a general westerly motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Tembin will pass near the southern tip of Vietnam in about 24 hours.  Tembin will likely move into the Gulf of Thailand as a tropical storm or tropical depression.

The heavy rain with Typhoon Tembin is occurring in bands west of the core of the typhoon.  So, the heavy rain will begin to fall before the center of circulation reaches places.  The heaviest rain will fall over the Mouths of the Mekong River and the part of Vietnam south of that area.  The rain could be heavy enough to cause floods in some locations.  Gusty winds could produce isolated damage as well in the southern part of Vietnam.