Tag Archives: Japan

Tropical Storm Kong-rey Moves Over East China Sea

Tropical Storm Kong-rey moved over the East China Sea on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 121.2°E which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) southeast of Wenzhou, China.  Kong-rey was moving toward the north-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 983 mb.

Former Typhoon Kong-rey weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across Taiwan on Thursday.  The mountains in Taiwan significantly disrupted the circulation in the lower levels of Kong-rey.  The circulation in the middle and upper levels of Tropical Storm Kong-rey remained more intact.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were occurring in the eastern side of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Kong-rey consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Kong-rey was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center Kong-rey.

Tropical Storm Kong-rey will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  An upper level trough over eastern China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the western side of Tropical Storm Kong-rey will pull drier air over Asia into the tropical storm.  Cooler water, strong vertical wind shear, and drier air will cause Kong-rey to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.  The cooler water and strong wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Kong-rey to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Friday.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Kong-rey toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Kong-rey will move near the coast of Zhejiang during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Storm Kong-rey could approach western Kyushu in 24 hours.

Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Kong-rey will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to coastal parts of Zhejiang on Friday.  Kong-rey could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to western Japan on Saturday.

Typhoon Krathon Stalls Southwest of Taiwan

Typhoon Krathon stalled just to the southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 119.4°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the east at 2 m.p.h. (3 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. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Krathon stalled just southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday.  As Krathon’s circulation remained nearly stationary, strong winds mixed cooler water to the surface of the ocean.  The cooler water reduced the energy available to be transferred to the atmosphere and Typhoon Krathon gradually weakened.

Even though Typhoon Krathon weakened on Tuesday, Krathon was still the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Krathon.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Krathon’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Krathon generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Krathon was very symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 39.2.  Typhoon Krathon was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit Louisiana in 2005.  Krathon was not quite as big as Rita was.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will be under the axis of an upper level ridge over eastern China.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, as long as the core of Typhoon Krathon remains over the cooler water it is mixing to the surface of the ocean, Krathon will continue to gradually weaken.

Typhoon Krathon will be in an area where the steering currents are weak during the next few hours.  An upper level trough over southern China will start to steer Krathon toward the slowly northeast on Wednesday.  The center of Krathon could make landfall on the coast of Taiwan northwest Kaohsiung in 24 hours.

Bands in the northeastern part of Typhoon Krathon are already dropping heavy rain on parts Taiwan.  Krathon will bring strong winds and heavier rain to the southwestern part of Taiwan when it moves closer to the coast.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods.  Typhoon Krathon could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) on the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Jebi sped rapidly northeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 43.1°N and longitude 150.5°E which put the center about 300 miles (485 km) east of Kushiro, Japan.  Jebi was moving toward the northeast at 41 m.p.h. (67 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 976 mb.

Typhoon Krathon Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Typhoon Krathon intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it passed just south of Taiwan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 119.9°E which put the center about 135 miles (220 km) south-southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 927 mb.

Typhoon Krathon continued to intensify Monday.  It is now the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) is present at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Krathon.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Krathon is symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extend out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 24.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 55.7.  Typhoon Krathon is similar in intensity to Hurricane Laura when Jeanne hit Louisiana in 2020.  Krathon is bigger than Laura was.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Typhoon Krathon will be in an environment favorable for intensification, Krathon may not intensify.  Images from the Taiwan Central Weather Agency’s radar indicate that concentric eyewalls may be forming at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  If concentric eyewalls do form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Typhoon Krathon to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Krathon will move southwest of Taiwan.  An upper level trough over southern China will start to steer Krathon toward the northeast on Wednesday.  The center of Krathon could make landfall on Taiwan near Kaohsiung.

Typhoon Krathon will be a large, powerful storm when it hits Taiwan.  Krathon will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Krathon could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) on the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Jebi strengthened south of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 141.3°E which put the center about 320 miles (520 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Jebi was moving toward the north at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 986 mb.

Typhoon Krathon Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Krathon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 122.0°E which put the center about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 950 mb.

Typhoon Krathon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Taiwan on Sunday.  A large circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) was at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Krathon.  Storms near the core of Krathon’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped large quatities of mass mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Krathon increased as it intensified.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon was 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.2.  Typhoon Krathon was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Jeanne when Jeanne hit southeast Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear, Typhoon Krathon will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Krathon could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Typhoon Krathon is likely strengthen to a the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Krathon will move closer to Taiwan.  The center Krathon’s circulation will approach the southern end of Taiwan in 36 hours. Typhoon Krathon is will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Taiwan.  Bands in the northern side of Krathon’s circulation will begin to bring wind and rain to Taiwan on Monday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, the center of Tropical Storm Jebi passed just to the west of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 25.8°N and longitude 140.7°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of Iwo To.  Jebi was moving toward the north 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 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Krathon Forms Southeast of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Krathon formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Krathon was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 125.1°E which put the center about 480 miles (775 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan strengthened on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Krathon.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Krathon was organizing quickly on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Krathon.  Storms near the center of Krathon’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mas away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Krathon was increasing size as Krathon strengthened.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear,  Tropical Storm Krathon will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Krathon could strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Krathon will move closer to Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Jebi was moving closer to Iwo To.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 142.3°E which put the center about 275 miles (445 km) south-southeast of Iwo To.  Jebi was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Jebi Forms West of the Northern Marianas

Tropical Storm Jebi formed west of the Northern Marianas on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 144.6°E which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) west-northwest of Agrihan. Jebi was moving toward the north-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A low pressure system west of the Northern Marianas strengthened on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jebi.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Jebi was poorly organized.  Thunderstorms were occurring in the southeastern quadrant of Jebi’s circulation.  There were no thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Storm Jebi.  Bands in the other parts of Jebi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Jebi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jebi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jebi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Jebi could intensify a little during the next 24 hours, if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Jebi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jebi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jebi will move slowly away from the Northern Marianas.  Jebi could approach Iwo To in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 20W formed south-southeast of Taiwan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression 20W was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 430 miles (690 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  The tropical depression was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1001 mb.

Tropical Storm Pulasan Brings Gusty Winds and Rain to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Pulasan brought gusty winds and rain to Okinawa on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Pulasan was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 126.9°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) north of Okinawa.  Pulasan was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Pulasan brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Okinawa on Wednesday.  A weather station in Oku, Japan reported 5.04 inches (128 mm) of rain.  A weather station in Yoronjima Island reported 3.66 inches (93 mm) of rain.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Pulasan was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern sides of Pulasan’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western sides of Tropical Storm Pulasan consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Pulasan was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 320 miles (520 km) in the northwestern, northeastern and southeastern quadrants of Pulasan’s circulation.  The winds in the southwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Pulasan were blowing at less than tropical storm force,

Tropical Storm Pulasan will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pulasan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the northern side of a large upper level low centered southeast of China.  The upper level low will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pulasan’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Pulasan could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.  Pulasan will weaken if the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Pulasan will move around the northern side of a large counterclockwise circulation southeast of China that is sometimes called a monsoon gyre.  The large counterclockwise circulation will steer Pulasan quickly toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pulasan will be near Shanghai, China in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Pulasan will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai.  Flooding is still occurring from the recent passage of Typhoon Bebinca over the same area.  Additional heavy rain will make flooding worse.

 

Tropical Storm Pulasan Forms Southeast of Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Pulasan formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Pulasan was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 137.8°E which put the center about 450 miles (725 km) south-southwest of Iwo To.  Pulasan was moving toward the west-northwest at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 997 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Pulasan was very large, but there were not many thunderstorms present.  Bands revolving around the center of Pulasan’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were occurring in a band in the far eastern periphery of Tropical Storm Pulasan.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in a band in the far southern periphery of Pulasan’s circulation.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Pulasan was very large, but the distribution of wind speeds was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) in the eastern side of Pulasan’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Pulasan were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Pulasan will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Pulasan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the eastern side of a large upper level low centered east of Taiwan.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pulasan’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Pulasan could intensify a little during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Pulasan will move around the northern side of a large counterclockwise circulation sometimes called a monsoon gyre.  The large counterclockwise circulation will steer Pulasan quickly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Pulasan will be near the Ryukyu Islands in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Pulasan will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, former Typhoon Bebinca weakened to a tropical depression over eastern China.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Bebinca was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 117.0°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) west of Nanjing, China.  Bebinca was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

Typhoon Bebinca Brings Wind and Rain to Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Bebinca brought wind and rain to the Ryukyu Islands on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Bebinca located at latitude 28.5°N and longitude 128.6°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) west-northeast of Amami Oshima.  Bebinca was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 973 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthened to a typhoon as it passed over the Ryukyu Islands on Saturday.  The center of Typhoon Bebinca passed over Amami Oshima.  A weather station in Naze, Japan reported 8.76 inches (222.5 mm) of rain.  A weather station in Kasari, Japan reported 4.80 inches (122.0 mm) of rain.  That weather station also reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h).  A weather station in Koniya, Japan reported 3.33 inches (84.5 mm) of rain.  That weather station also reported a sustained wind speed of 39 m.p.h. (63 km/h).

Former Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthened to a typhoon on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern, northern and western sides of the center of Bebinca’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Bebinca.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Bebinca became more symmetrical on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Bebinca’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Typhoon Bebinca.

Typhoon Bebinca will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bebinca will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge east of China.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bebinca will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Bebinca could intensify rapidly at times.

Typhoon Bebinca will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that extends from China to the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bebinca toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bebinca will approach the east coast of China near Shanghai.

Typhoon Bebinca will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the region of China near Shanghai.  Typhoon Bebinca will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Bebinca Moves Toward Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Bebinca moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean toward the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 133.3°E which put the center about 405 miles (655 km) east-southeast of Okinawa.  Bebinca was moving toward the northwest at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthened on Friday as it moved toward the Ryukyu Islands.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Bebinca’s circulation.  Even though more thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Bebinca’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Bebinca consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bebinca generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Bebinca was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the northern half of Bebinca’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Bebinca were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bebinca will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bebinca will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the northeastern part of an upper level low east of Taiwan.  The upper level low will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bebinca’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Bebinca will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bebinca will move around the northeastern part of a large low pressure system east of Taiwan.  The low pressure system will steer Bebinca toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bebinca will reach the Ryukyu Islands in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bebinca could intensify to a typhoon before it reaches the Ryukyu Islands.  Bebinca will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Miniamidaitohima, Okinawa and Amami.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.