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Typhoon Yutu Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Typhoon Yutu brought wind and rain to Luzon on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 122.4°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km east of Ilagan, Philippines.  Yutu was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

The center of Typhoon Yutu made landfall near Palanan Point on the northeast coast of Luzon late on Monday.  Yutu had a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 270 miles (435 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.3.  Typhoon Yutu is capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Yutu could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) on the northeast coast of Luzon.  It will also produce destructive winds as it moves across northern Luzon.  Yutu will move westward across Luzon.  It will move into the South China Sea south of Vigan, Philippines.  Typhoon Yutu will drop very heavy rain over parts of northern Luzon and flash flooding will be very likely.  Rapid runoff into the Cagayan River could cause it to flood.

Typhoon Yutu will move over the Sierra Madre mountains and the Cordillera Central when it moves across northern Luzon.  Those two mountain ranges will disrupt the lower levels of the circulation and Yutu will be weaker when it reaches the South China Sea.  Yutu could still be a typhoon when it moves back over water, but it may weaken to a tropical storm by then.

Typhoon Yutu will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean when it reaches the South China Sea.  Yutu will move toward the north when it reaches the western end of the ridge and it could approach China in four or five days.

Powerful Typhoon Yutu Threatens Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Yutu continued to pose a threat to northern Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 129.6°E which put it about 475 miles (765 km) east of Cape Engano, Philippines.  Yutu was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.

There were minor fluctuations in its intensity on Saturday, but Typhoon Yutu remains a very powerful tropical cyclone.  A circular eye is at the center of circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Yutu.  Storms around the core are generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Typhoon Yutu has a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 250 miles (400 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Yutu is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 28.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 59.9.  Typhoon Yutu is capable of causing wide spread significant damage.

Typhoon Yutu will continue to move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu in a generally westerly direction for another 36 to 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu will reach northern Luzon in about 36 to 42 hours.  Yutu will create a storm surge at the coast.  It will cause significant wind damage over northern Luzon.  Yutu will also drop locally heavy rain and cause flash floods over parts of northern Luzon.

Powerful Typhoon Yutu Churns Toward Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Yutu churned toward northern Luzon on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Yutu was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 135.9°E which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) east of Cape Engano, Philippines.  Yutu was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 920 mb.

After completing an eyewall replacement cycle Typhoon Yutu strengthened again on Friday.  Yutu is once again the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  The eyewall replacement cycle also caused an increase in the size of Typhoon Yutu’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 260 miles (420 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 28.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 63.9.

Typhoon Yutu has a large, very well organized circulation and it will remain in an environment capable of supporting a powerful typhoon for several more days.  Yutu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Yutu could strengthen a little more during the next 12 to 24 hours.  At some point another rainband is likely to wrap around the existing eye and eyewall, and another eyewall replacement cycle could occur.  If there is another eyewall replacement cycle, then Yutu would weaken, at least temporarily.

Typhoon Yutu will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Yutu in a generally westward direction.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Yutu could reach northern Luzon in about four days.  Yutu is very likely to be a strong typhoon when it approaches Luzon.

Typhoon Mangkhut Makes Landfall West of Hong Kong

Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall west of Hong Kong on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 111.0°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) east-southeast of Yulin, China.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 979 mb.

Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall on the coast of China near Yangjiang on Sunday.  The maximum sustained wind speed was near 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  There were reports that strong winds blew out windows in high rise buildings in Hong Kong.  There were strong gusty winds along the coast between Hong Kong and Yangjiang.  Strong winds blowing water toward the coast also produced a storm surge along that section of the coast.  The highest surge occurred just to the east of where the center made landfall.

Typhoon Mangkhut will drop heavy rain over Zizhiqu, Zhaungzu and Guangxi provinces while it moves farther inland.  Mangkhut will weaken slowly as it moves slowly across southern China.  The locally heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in regions of steeper terrain.  Reports of damage and casualties caused when Typhoon Mangkhut move across northern Luzon were still coming in.

Typhoon Mangkhut Approaches Southern China

After causing significant destruction over northern Luzon, Typhoon Mangkhut approached southern China on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 114.4°E which put it about 130 miles (205 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

The inner core of Typhoon Mangkhut was disrupted when it moved across the northern end of Luzon.  The inner eyewall weakened and a larger ragged eye was at the center of the typhoon.  Recent visible satellite images seemed to show an inner rainband wrapping more tightly around the center of circulation and the inner core of Typhoon Mangkhut could be reorganizing.  A smaller eye could be redeveloping at the center of circulation.

Even though it has weakened since yesterday, Typhoon Mangkhut has a very large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 350 miles (565 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mangkhut is 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 28.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Index (HWISI) is 45.0.  Typhoon Mangkhut is capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Mangkhut is moving southwest of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon quickly toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut will pass south of Hong Kong in a few hours.  Mangkhut will make landfall on the coast of south China near Yangjiang in about 12 hours.  Typhoon Mangkhut will bring strong gusty winds to southern China.  It will cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast.  Mangkhut will also drop heavy rain and it will cause flash floods.

Powerful Typhoon Mangkhut Hits Northern Luzon

Powerful Typhoon Mangkhut hit northern Luzon on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 121.5°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) east of Laoag, Philippines.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (320 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 908 mb.

Mangkhut is a large and dangerous typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 330 miles (530 km) from the center.  The outer rainbands around Typhoon Mangkhut stretch from Manila, Philippines to southern Taiwan.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) is 36.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 38.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 75.3.  Typhoon Mangkhut is bigger than Hurricane Katrina was when Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.  Typhoon Mangkhut has the potential to cause extensive catastrophic damage over parts of Luzon.

Typhoon Mangkhut will cause extensive catastrophic wind damage over northern Luzon.  It will also drop heavy rain and there will be flash floods.  The flooding will be worse in areas of steeper slopes.  There will be a significant storm surge on the coast of extreme northeastern Luzon.

Typhoon Mangkhut will weaken while it crosses northern Luzon.  Mangkhut will then move quickly off to the west-northwest. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut could be near Hong Kong in about 30 hours.

Dangerous Typhoon Mangkhut Approaches Northern Luzon

Dangerous Typhoon Mangkhut approached northern Luzon on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 126.2°E which put it about 400 miles (645 km) east-northeast of Manila.  Mangkhut was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 170 m.p.h. (280 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 205 m.p.h. (335 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 905 mb.

Typhoon Mangkhut has a large powerful circulation.  There is a circular eye with a diameter of about 30 miles (50 km) at the center of circulation.  A number of bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of the circulation.  Storms around the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Winds to typhoon force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 265 miles (425 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mangkhut was 38.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 33.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 72.2.  Those indices indicate that Typhoon Mangkhut is very similar in size and strength to what Hurricane Katrina was when Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.

Typhoon Mangkhut will move through an environment that is very favorable for strong typhoons during the next 12 to 18 hours.  Mangkhut will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an area where there will be little vertical wind shear.  It is difficult for a typhoon or hurricane to continue to generate enough upper level divergence to stay extremely strong for a long period of time.  However, Typhoon Mangkhut could remain the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale until it reaches northern Luzon.  Mangkhut will weaken when the center moves over northern Luzon.

Typhoon Mangkhut is moving south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge is steering Mangkhut toward the northwest and that general motion is forecast to continue.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut will reach northern Luzon east of Tuguegarao in about 18 hours.  Mangkhut is capable of causing extensive catastrophic damage.  It will produce extremely strong winds over northern Luzon.  There will be a significant storm surge at the coast.  Locally heavy rain will cause flash floods.

Typhoon Mangkhut Strengthens Into Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Mangkhut strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 138.0°E which put it about 290 miles (470 km) north of Yap.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 915 mb.

Typhoon Mangkhut is strong and well organized.  It has a symmetrical circulation with a circular eye at the center.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surround the eye and the strongest winds are occurring in the ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Mangkhut.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping large quantities of mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Typhoon Mangkhut has a large circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 210 miles (375 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mangkhut is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 22.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 57.1.  Typhoon Mangkhut is capable of causing extensive catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Mangkhut will be moving through an environment very favorable for powerful typhoons.  Mangkhut will be moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an area were the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mangkhut could maintain its intensity for several more days unless eyewall replacement cycles cause fluctuations in the wind speed.

Typhoon Mangkhut is moving south a ridge of high pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Mangkhut in a general west-northwesterly direction during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut could approach northern Luzon in about three days.  Mangkhut could be near Hong Kong in about five days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Barijat was moving southeast of Hong Kong.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Barijat was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 116.5°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Barijat was moving toward the west-southwest 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Mangkhut Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Mangkhut strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moved west of Guam on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mangkhut was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 140.6°E which put it about 230 miles (375 km) west of Guam.  Mangkhut was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 939 mb.  Typhoon Mangkhut was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Mangkhut intensified rapidly on Monday.  A circular eye was at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Mangkhut.  Storms around the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 210 miles (335 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mangkhut was 28.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.1.

Typhoon Mangkhut will move through an environment capable of supporting very strong typhoons during the next two or three days.  Mangkhut will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mangkhut is likely to remain very strong for the next few days.  Eyewall replacement cycles could cause fluctuations in intensity.

Typhoon Mangkhut will move south of a ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Mangkhut to the west during the next day or two.  Typhoon Mangkhut will move more toward the west-northwest later this week.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Mangkhut could be near northern Luzon in about four days.

Tropical Storm Leepi Approaches Kyushu

Tropical Storm Leepi approached Kyushu late on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Leepi was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 135.3°E which put it about 335 miles (545 km) east-southeast of Kagoshima, Japan.  Leepi was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 983 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Leepi became much better organized on Monday.  A large circular clear area formed at the center of circulation, which represented the formation of an eye.  A primary band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped most of the way around the formative eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that band of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms in the eastern half of the circulation were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Leepi.  Bands northwest of the center consisted mostly of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 110 miles (170 km) from the center of circulation.  Storms around the center of Tropical Storm Leepi were generating upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Leepi will move through an environment that will become less favorable on Tuesday.  Leepi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C which means there will be enough energy to support a strong tropical storm.  However, an upper level ridge northwest of Japan will produce northeasterly winds which will cause significant vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Leepi to start to weaken when it nears Japan.

The ridge northwest of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Leepi toward the northwest on Tuesday.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Leepi will reach southeastern Kyushu in about 18 hours.  Leepi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Kyushu late on Tuesday.  The locally heavy rain could create the potential for flash floods.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bebinca meandered southwest of Hong Kong and Tropical Storm Hector move westward across the International Date Line.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 113.8°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Bebinca was moving toward the north-northeast 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. (95km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 26.2°N and longitude 176.2°E which put it about 760 miles (1225 km) east-northeast of Wake Island.  Hector was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 1003 mb.