Tag Archives: Iwo To

Typhoon Mindulle Develops Concentric Eyewalls

Large Typhoon Mindulle developed concentric eyewalls southwest of Iwo To on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 136.4°E which put it about 445 miles (720 km) southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Typhoon Mindulle developed concentric eyewalls on Sunday when the inner end of a rainband wrapped around an existing eye and eyewall. When the larger outer eyewall formed, much of the low level convergence of air shifted to the outer eyewall. The inner eyewall began to weaken because there was less low level convergence into it. Since the strongest winds were occurring in the existing inner eyewall, the maximum wind speed decreased when it weakened. The inner eyewall was still present, although it was much weaker. There was a break in the northwestern part of the outer eyewall. The existence of the two eyewalls was disrupting the inner core of Typhoon Mindulle.

The ongoing Eyewall Replacement Cycle was causing the circulation around Typhoon Mindulle to get larger. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (330 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 23.6. The Hurricane size Index (HSI) was 23.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.8.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment capable of sustaining a powerful typhoon during the next 36 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The ongoing Eyewall Replacement Cycle will likely cause Typhoon Mindulle to weaken during the next 12 hours. If the inner eyewall dissipates and the outer eyewall becomes more well developed, then Mindulle could strengthen again. Typhoon Mindulle will move slowly. The strong winds in Mindulle could mix cooler water to the surface. Cooler water and an Eyewall Replacement Cycle could limit the potential for Typhoon Mindulle to intensify.

Typhoon Mindulle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Mindulle slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be west of Iwo To in 48 hours. Mindulle could be south of Tokyo in four days.

Typhoon Mindulle Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Mindulle rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 136.8°E which put it about 510 miles (825 km) southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 915 mb.

Typhoon Mindulle continued to intensify rapidly over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Saturday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (29 km) was present at the center of Mindulle. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Mindulle. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large amounts of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Mindulle was more than twice as large as the circulation of Hurricane Sam which was over the Atlantic Ocean. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 210 miles (340 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 54.4.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment capable of sustaining a powerful typhoon during the next 36 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle may be near its peak intensity. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That structure would start an eyewall replacement cycle that could cause Typhoon Mindulle to weaken. Typhoon Mindulle will move slowly. The strong winds in Mindulle could mix cooler water to the surface. That would also cause Mindulle to weaken.

Typhoon Mindulle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Mindulle slowly toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be west of Iwo To in three days.

Typhoon Mindulle Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Mindulle rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 137.3°E which put it about 525 miles (850 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

Typhoon Mindulle rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Saturday. A circular eye was present at the center of Mindulle. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Mindulle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large amounts of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Mindulle was about twice as large as the circulation of Hurricane Sam which was over the Atlantic Ocean. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mindulle was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.1.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That structure would start an eyewall replacement cycle that could cause Typhoon Mindulle to weaken.

Typhoon Mindulle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Mindulle slowly toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be west of Iwo To in three or four days.

Mindulle Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Mindulle strengthened to a typhoon south-southwest of Iwo To on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Mindulle was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 138.1°E which put it about 565 miles (910 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Mindulle moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Mindulle strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday night. A circular eye developed at the center of Typhoon Mindulle. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Mindulle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Mindulle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Mindulle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Mindulle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mindulle will continue to intensify during the next 48 hours. Mindulle could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Mindulle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Mindulle slowly toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Typhoon Mindulle could be southwest of Iwo To by the end of the weekend.

Typhoon Champi Brings Wind and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) west of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 982 mb.

Bands of showers and thunderstorms on the eastern side of Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. Although the center of Champi was passing west of Iwo To, the circulation around the typhoon was producing gusty winds and rain over the island. The core of Typhoon Champi was passing west of Iwo To. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Champi. However, winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Champi will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan. The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Champi could maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours. The vertical wind shear will increase on Saturday, when Champi moves closer to the upper level trough. Typhoon Champi will weaken when the shear increases. Champi will also move over cooler water by Sunday.

The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Champi toward the northeast during the weekend. On its anticipated track Champi will move away from Iwo To on Saturday. Typhoon Champi could be southeast of Tokyo in 30 hours.

Champi Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Iwo To

Former Tropical Storm Chanpi strengthened to a typhoon southwest of Iwo To on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 139.2°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) southwest of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 982 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Champi exhibited better organization on Friday morning. There was a small, circular eye at the center of Champi. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Champi. The strongest rainband wrapped around the northern, western and southern sides of Champi. Bands in the eastern side of the typhoon consisted mainly of showers and lower clouds. The circulation around Typhoon Champi was relatively small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Champi. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Champi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan. The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Champi could strengthen during the next 24 hours. The vertical wind shear will increase during the weekend, when Champi moves closer to the upper level trough.

Typhoon Champi will move around the western end of a surface high pressure system during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during that time period. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Champi will pass west of Iwo To on Friday night. Bands on the eastern side of Champi could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Iwo To. The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Champi toward the northeast during the weekend. Champi could be southeast of Tokyo in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Champi Strengthens South of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Champi strengthened south of Iwo To on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Champi was located at latitude 18.9°N and longitude 140.1°E which put it about 435 miles (680 km) south of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Champi continued to strengthen on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Champi. Stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands east and south of the center of circulation. Bands in the northwestern side of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Champi.

Tropical Storm Champi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Champi will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern portion of an upper level ridge centered east of the Philippines. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be large enough prevent Tropical Storm Champi from strengthening. Champi will intensify during the next 36 hours and it is forecast to strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Champi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during the next two days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Champi could be southwest of Iwo To in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Champi Develops West of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Champi developed west of the Marianas on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Champi was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) west-northwest of Guam. Champi was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression 06W strengthened on Tuesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Champi. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Champi. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of Champi. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Champi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Champi will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move between an upper level low northeast of the Marianas and and upper level ridge over eastern Asia. The upper level winds are weak between the upper low and the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Champi will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Champi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Champi could be southwest of Iwo To in 48 hours.

Typhoon Surigae Moves away from the Philippines

Typhoon Surigae started to move away from the Philippines on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 240 miles (385 km) east-northeast of Aparri, Philippines. Surigae was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Typhoon Surigae weakened slowly on Wednesday as it started to move farther away from the Philippines. A large circular eye with a diameter of 70 miles (110 km) was present at the center of Surigae. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the stronger winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Surigae. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Typhoon Surigae still had a large circulation on Wednesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.2. Surigae was still the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Surigae will move into an environment that will become less favorable for a strong typhoon during the next several days. Surigae will move over cooler water northeast of the Philippines where the Sea Surface Temperatures is near 26°C. In addition, an upper level trough over China will move toward Typhoon Surigae. The trough will produce westerly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. The combination of cooler water and more wind shear will cause Typhoon Surigae to weaken during the next 48 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Typhoon Surigae toward the east-northeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Surigae will move away from the Philippines and it will stay southeast of Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. Surigae could approach Iwo To by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom Forms Southwest of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Chan-hom formed southwest of Iwo To on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 22.8°N and longitude 139.0°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) southwest of Iwo To.  Chan-hom was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 998 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southwest of Iwo To on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Chan-hom was still organizing.  Thunderstorms were forming near the center of circulation, but the distribution of storms was asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were developing in bands in the southern half of the tropical storm.  Bands in the northern half of Chan-hom consisted mainly of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (165 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  Winds in the other parts of Chan-hom were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Chan-hom will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move around the southern side of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Chan-hom.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification but it will not be strong enough to prevent Chan-hom from intensifying.   Tropical Storm Chan-hom could strengthen into a typhoon within 72 hours.

Tropical Storm Chan-hom will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Chan-hom toward the northwest during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Chan-hom could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands and southwestern Japan by the end of the week.