Tag Archives: Hokkaido

Tropical Storm Lan Moves over the Sea of Japan

Tropical Storm Lan moved over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lan was located at latitude 38.7°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 220 miles (355 km) west-southwest of Akita, Japan. Lan was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Lan moved over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday after it crossed Honshu near Osaka. Lan weakened to a tropical storm as it crossed over Honshu. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Lan was asymmetrical on Tuesday night. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Lan’s circulation. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the northern half of Lan generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Lan.

Tropical Storm Lan will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is northwest of Japan. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lan’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate wind shear will prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Lan. Lan will begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone in a day or so when it moves over colder water.

The upper level trough that is northwest of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Lan toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, The center of Tropical Storm Lan will pass west of Hokkaido in 24 hours. Lan could approach Sakhalin Island in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Dora weakened to a tropical depression north-northeast of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Dora was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 380 miles (610 km) north-northeast of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1008 mb.

Typhoon Mindulle Passes South of Tokyo

Typhoon Mindulle passed south of Tokyo on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 31.1°N and longitude 140.0°E which put it about 340 miles (545 km) south of Tokyo, Japan. Mindulle was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

The core of Typhoon Mindulle passed well to the south of Tokyo on Thursday. However, the circulation around Typhoon Mindulle was so large, that bands of showers and thunderstorms on the northern periphery of Mindulle were bringing gusty winds and rain to parts of Honshu. Winds to typhoon force extended out 130 miles (210 km) on the eastern side of Typhoon Mindulle. Winds to typhoon force extended out 75 miles in the western half of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 37.6 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.5.

Typhoon Mindulle weakened as it moved over cooler water and into a region where westerly winds in the upper levels caused more vertical wind shear. A larger eye was present at the center of Mindulle, but breaks were developing in the ring of thunderstorms around the eye. The upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes were beginning to affect the structure of Typhoon Mindulle. Those winds were blowing toward the top of Mindulle’s circulation and they were causing increasing vertical wind shear. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and east of the center of the typhoon. Bands south and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The combination of cooler water and more wind shear was causing Typhoon Mindulle to start a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The westerly winds in the upper levels will steer Typhoon Mindulle quickly toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Mindulle will pass well to the east of Honshu and Hokkaido. Bands on the northern side of Typhoon Mindulle could bring gusty winds and heavy rain to coastal parts of northern Honshu and eastern Hokkaido. Big waves will affect shipping southeast of Japan. Mindulle will weaken gradually during the next 48 hours while it makes a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Lupit Brings Rain to Japan

Tropical Storm Lupit brought rain to Japan on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Miyazaki, Japan. Lupit was moving toward the east-northeast at 26 m.p.h. (42 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the coast of Kyushu near Kagoshima on Sunday. Lupit was being steered quickly toward the east-northeast by an upper level trough near the Korean Peninsula. The trough was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lupit’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were affecting the distribution of rain in Tropical Storm Lupit. Most of the heavier rain was falling in bands north and east of the center of Lupit. The heavier rain was falling over Shikoku, northern Kyushu and southwestern Honshu. Bands south and west of the center of circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring in the southern half of Tropical Storm Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) on the south side of Lupit. The winds in the northern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

The trough near the Korean Peninsula will steer Tropical Storm Lupit quickly toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Lupit will move over the southern Sea of Japan. The center of Tropcial Storm Lupit could be near northern Honshu in 36 hours. Rain will spread over the rest of Honshu and Hokkaido during the next two days. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification. Lupit will move over water in the Sea of Japan where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level trough will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The lower part of Lupit’s circulation will also be disrupted while it passes over land. Tropical Storm Lupit is not likely to strengthen significantly and it could weaken if the center does not move over the Sea of Japan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Mirinae was moving eastward away from Japan. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 144.7°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) east-northeast of Tokyo, Japan. Mirinae was moving toward the northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Francisco Drops Heavy Rain on South Korea

Tropical Storm Francisco dropped heavy rain on parts of South Korea on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located at latitude 37.4°N and longitude 129.4°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Tonghae, South Korea.  Francisco was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 999 mb.

After moving across Kyushu on Monday night, the center of Tropical Storm Francisco crossed the Korea Strait and moved northward over eastern South Korea.  The center of Francisco made landfall near Busan (Pusan), South Korea.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the northern half of Tropical Storm Francisco dropped heavy rain over parts of South Korea.  The rain could create the potential for flash floods in some locations.  Winds to tropical storm force were occurring in the portions of rainbands over the Sea of Japan.

Tropical Storm Francisco will soon reach a region where the westerly winds in the middle latitudes are blowing.  Those winds will turn Francisco eastward over the Sea of Japan.  Tropical Storm Francisco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the westerly winds in the upper levels will create strong vertical wind shear and significant intensification is not expected.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Francisco could reach Hokkaido in about 48 hours.  Francisco could still be a tropical storm at that time.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Lekima strengthened into a typhoon southeast of Taiwan and Tropical Storm Krosa intensified south of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Lekima was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 127.9°E which put it about 575 miles (925 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Lekima was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 967 mb.  Typhoon Lekima could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane and it is forecast to move toward Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Krosa was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 141.9°E which put it about 360 miles (585 km) south of Iwo To.  Krosa was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 990 mb.  Tropical Storm Krosa is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and to move toward Iwo To.

Typhoon Kong-rey Brings Wind and Rain to South Korea

Typhoon Kong-rey brought wind and rain to South Korea late on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Kong-rey was located at latitude 33.8°N and longitude 127.7°W which put it near Jeju (Cheju) Island and about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Pusan, South Korea.  Kong-rey was moving toward the north-northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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.

Rainbands on the northern side of the circulation of Typhoon Kong-rey were already dropping heavy rain over parts of South Korea.  The core of Kong-rey was bringing winds to typhoon force and heavy rain to Jeju (Cheju) Island.  Typhoon Kong-rey was moving quickly toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Kong-rey will pass near Pusan, South Korea in a few hours.  The typhoon will bring gusty winds and drop locally heavy rain when it passes over southeastern South Korea.  Kong-rey will weaken when it moves over the cooler water in the Sea of Japan.  Kong-rey could be near Hokkaido in about 24 hours.  It will be a tropical storm at that time, but it could still drop locally heavy rain.

Typhoon Cimaron Brings Wind and Rain to Japan

Typhoon Cimaron brought wind and rain to Japan on Thursday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Cimaron was located at latitude 35.9°N and longitude 135.1°E which put it about 70 miles west of Fukui, Japan.  Cimaron was moving toward the north at 26 m.p.h. (42 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

The center of Typhoon Cimaron moved near the eastern end of Shikoku early on Wednesday.  Cimaron moved quickly northward and the center passed over Awaji Island.  Typhoon Cimaron made landfall on Honshu west of Kobe and Osaka near Akashi.  Cimaron continued to move quickly toward the north across Honshu and the center of circulation emerged over the Sea of Japan later on Thursday.  Kansai International Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  Komoda, Japan reported a sustained wind speed of 63 m.p.h. (102 km/h).

Typhoon Cimaron dropped locally heavy rain over parts of Shikoku and southwestern Honshu.  Kobe measured 4.75 inches (120.5 mm) of rain and there could have been higher amounts in mountainous regions where the wind was blowing up the slopes.  The potential for flash floods exists in areas of steep terrain.

Typhoon Cimaron is forecast to weaken over the Sea of Japan.  It will move over cooler water.  In addition, an upper level trough over eastern Asia will produce strong westerly winds that will cause significant vertical wind shear.  The trough is forecast to turn Typhoon Lane toward the east and it could make another landfall over northern Honshu or Hokkaido.  Cimaron will weaken to a tropical storm, but it could drop heavy rain over those areas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Soulik was making landfall on the southwestern coast of South Korea near Mokp’o.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Soulik was located at latitude 35.2°N and longitude 126.8°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) south-southwest of Kunsan, South Korea.  Soulik was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 985 mb.

The upper level trough over eastern Asia was also causing strong vertical wind shear over Tropical Storm Soulik.  Soulik was weakening as it approached the coast, but it will still be capable of dropping locally heavy rain over portions of South Korea.  The heavy rain could create the potential for flash floods.

Tropical Storm Maria Prompts Warning for Guam

Tropical Depression 10W strengthened into Tropical Storm Maria on Wednesday and a Tropical Storm Warning was issued for Guam.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 145.9°E which put it about 95 miles (155 km) southeast of Guam.  Maria was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 Warnings were in effect for Guam and Rota.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Saipan and Tinian.

The center of circulation in former Tropical Depression 10W became more well organized on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Maria.  The circulation was still increasing in organization.  There was a distinct low level center of circulation.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Maria will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next few days.  Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  Tropical Storm Maria will move under the western end of an upper level ridge that is between two upper level lows which are east and west of the ridge.  The upper level winds will be relatively weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The combination of the ridge and two upper level lows will increase the upper level divergence.  Tropical Storm Maria will continue to strengthen.  Maria will become a typhoon later this week.  It could intensify rapidly once an eye forms and the inner core is well developed.

Tropical Storm Maria is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering Maria toward the north-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Maria will move near Guam and Rota later today.  A general motion toward the northwest is forecast for the next several days.  Maria could move in the direction of the Ryukyu Islands at the end of the week.

Tropical Storm Maria will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the southern Mariana Islands.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain will affect Guam and Rota.  Gusty winds and heavy rain will also affect Saipan and Tinian.  Heavy rain could produce flash floods.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Prapiroon was moving over the Sea of Japan.  Prapiroon was bringing wind and rain to the northern Islands of Japan including Hokkaido and Honshu.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Prapiroon was located at latitude 39.6°N and longitude 135.6°E which put it about 360 miles (585 km) west-southwest of Misawa, Japan.  Prapiroon was moving toward the northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were winds gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

Typhoon Lionrock Nearing Landfall in Japan

An upper level low is pulling Typhoon Lionrock toward a landfall in northern Japan.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Lionrock was located at latitude 36.1°N and longitude 142.5°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Sendai, Japan.  Lionrock was moving toward the north-northwest at 24 m.p.h. (39 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 965 mb.

An upper level low west of Japan was pulling Typhoon Lionrock back toward the west-northwest.  At its current track and speed Typhoon Lionrock would make landfall on the northeastern coast of Honshu near Sendai in about six hours.

The structure of Typhoon Lionrock is changing as a result of cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear.  Lionrock is making a transition of a tropical cyclone to an extratropical cyclone.  The circulation is becoming more elongated and the typhoon is pulling cooler drier air into the western half of the circulation.  The wind field will tend to expand as the typhoon becomes extratropical.

Typhoon Lionrock will be capable of producing minor wind damage along its path.  It could also cause locally heavy rainfall and flash floods over northern Honshu.  It will pass over some of the same areas recently affected by Typhoon Mindulle.

Tropical Storm Chanthu Passes East of Tokyo

Tropical Storm Chanthu brought wind and rain to the east coast of Honshu as the center passed east of Tokyo on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Chanthu was located at latitude 37.4°N and longitude 141.6°E which put it about 105 miles (170 km) northeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Chanthu was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 995 mb.

Tropical Storm Chanthu is starting the transition from a tropical cyclone to an extratropical cyclone.  It is still moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 26°C, but Chanthu will move over colder water during the next 24 hours.  An upper level trough west of Japan will sweep northwesterly winds over the top of Tropical Storm Chanthu.  The increased vertical wind shear will tilt the circulation of Chanthu toward the northeast.  The trough also contains cooler air.  A combination of cooler SSTs, more vertical wind shear and cooler air aloft will alter the structure of Chanthu and it will begin to look more like an extratropical cyclone on Wednesday.

The upper level trough will steer Chanthu in a generally north-northeasterly direction during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Chanthu will move roughly parallel to the coast of Honshu.  Chanthu is expected to move across Hokkaido later on Wednesday.

The rainbands in Tropical Storm Chanthu are capable of producing locally heavy rainfall.  Some flooding is possible in eastern Honshu and Hokkaido.  Wind damage should be minimal although fishing boats and other vessels along the northeast coast of Japan will have to deal with wind and waves.