Tag Archives: Maria

Tropical Storm Ampil Forms South of Japan

Tropical Storm Ampil formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Monday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Ampil was located at latitude 24.7°N and longitude 138.1°E which put the center about 760 miles (1225 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Ampil was moving toward the northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 992 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan strengthened on Monday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Ampil.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Ampil’s circulation.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped part of the way around the center of Tropical Storm Ampil.  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.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Tropical Storm Ampil will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ampil will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under a small upper level ridge that is in between and upper level low southwest of Japan and an upper level low east of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak in the small ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Ampil will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ampil could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Storm Ampil is likely to strengthen to a typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Ampil will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ampil toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Ampil will move closer to central Honshu.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Maria weakened to a tropical depression over the Sea of Japan, and a subtropical cyclone east of Japan made a transition to Tropical Storm Son-tinh.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Maria was located at latitude 41.0°N and longitude 138.7°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) west-southwest of Aomori, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 999 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Son-tinh was located at latitude 3.7°N and longitude 149.0°E which put the center about 560 miles (905 km) east of Tokyo, Japan. Son-tinh was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 Maria Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Honshu

Tropical Storm Maria brought wind and rain to northern Honshu on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located at latitude 39.4°N and longitude 141.2°E which put the center about 10 miles (15 km) east of Hanamaki, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Maria brought wind and rain to northern Honshu on Sunday night.  The center of Maria’s circulation made landfall near Kesennuma in Miyagi prefecture.  Tropical Storm Maria exhibited more organization as it neared landfall in northern Honshu.  A small circular eye appeared on both satellite images and radar images from the Japan Meteorological Agency.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Maria’s circulation.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Maria was fairly symmetrical at the time of landfall.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Maria’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Maria will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Maria toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Maria will move over Iwate and Akita prefectures.  Maria could move over the Sea of Japan in 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Maria will weaken steadily as it moves across northern Honshu.  Maria will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Iwate and Akita prefectures during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Maria Moves Toward Northern Honshu

Tropical Storm Maria moved toward northern Honshu on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located at latitude 37.7°N and longitude 144.4°E which put the center about 235 miles (355 km) east-southeast of Sendai, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 981 mb.

Tropical Storm Maria exhibited more organization on Saturday night as it moved closer to northern Honshu.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Maria’s circulation.  A small circular eye appeared intermittently on satellite images.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Storm Maria.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Maria was more symmetrical on Saturday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center to Maria’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Maria will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the eastern part of an upper level ridge over Japan.  The upper level winds are weak in that part of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Maria could intensify during the next 18 hours, but it is more likely that Maria will maintain its current intensity.

Tropical Storm Maria will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Maria toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Maria will approach the coast of northern Honshu in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Maria will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Honshu.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Maria Spins East of Japan

Tropical Storm Maria was spinning east of Japan on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located at latitude 34.5°N and longitude 145.8°E which put the center about 400 miles (645 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the north 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 987 mb.

Former Typhoon Maria weakened back to a tropical storm over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Japan on Friday.  The wind in the western part of Maria appeared to pull drier air around the southern side of Maria’s circulation.  The drier caused many of the thunderstorms in southern side of Tropical Storm Maria to dissipate.  Bands in the southern half of Maria’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Storm Maria.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Maria was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern side of Maria’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 85 miles (135 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Maria.

Tropical Storm Maria will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Maria 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 over Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Maria’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear and the drier air in Tropical Storm Maria will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Maria could intensify during the next 24 hours even with the effects of the wind shear and drier air.

Tropical Storm Maria will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Maria toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Maria will move closer to eastern Japan.  Maria could start to move toward Honshu during the weekend.

 

Maria Intensifies to a Typhoon Southeast of Japan

Former Tropical Storm Maria intensified to a typhoon southeast of Japan on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Maria was located at latitude 30.5°N and longitude 145.8°E which put the center about 505 miles (815 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 969 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Maria intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan on Thursday.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Maria’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 revolved around the core of Typhoon Maria.  Storm 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 Maria was very small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the eastern side of Maria’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Typhoon Maria.

Typhoon Maria will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Maria’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Maria is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Maria will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Maria toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Maria will move closer to eastern Japan.

 

Tropical Storm Maria Forms South of Japan

Tropical Storm Maria formed south of Japan on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 143.3°E which put the center about 695 miles (1120 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the east-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 994 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Tokyo strengthened on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Maria.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Maria’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Maria.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Maria consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Maria’s circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Maria.

Tropical Storm Maria will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Maria’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Maria will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Maria could strengthen to a typhoon by Friday.

Tropical Storm Maria will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Maria toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Maria will move closer to eastern Japan.

Typhoon Maria Makes Landfall in China

The center of Typhoon Maria made landfall Lianjiang, China on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Maria was located at latitude 26.7°N and longitude 119.3°E which put it near Ningde, China.  Maria was moving toward the west-northwest at 22 m.p.h. (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Two concentric eyewalls formed at the center of Typhoon Maria before it made landfall on the coast of China.  The inner eyewall was dissipating, but it still existed at the time of landfall.  The outer eyewall started to contract prior to landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation in the part of the circulation over water.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 235 miles (380 km) from the center in the part of the circulation over water.

Typhoon Maria brought strong winds and a storm surge to the coast of Zhejiang province when it made landfall.  Maria was also dropping heavy rain and flash flooding could occur.  Typhoon Maria was moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge was steering Maria toward the west-northwest, but the typhoon is likely to turn more toward the northwest when it moves farther inland.  Typhoon Maria will weaken as it moves inland over eastern China, but it will still drop heavy rain and flooding will be a significant risk.

Typhoon Maria Drops Heavy Rain on Taiwan

Typhoon Maria dropped heavy rain on Taiwan on Tuesday after it brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT the center of Typhoon Maria was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 121.4°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) north-northeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Maria was moving toward the west-northwest at 22 m.p.h. (35 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. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

A primary rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall in Typhoon Maria and the structure exhibited concentric eyewalls.  The inner eyewall started to weaken as more air converged and rose in the much larger outer eyewall.  The wind speeds decreased slowly as the inner eyewall weakened.  The concentric eyewalls altered the structure of Typhoon Maria and the size of the circulation increased.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 235 miles (380 km) from the center.

Typhoon Maria was moving around the southern side of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge was steering Maria toward the west-northwest and a general motion in that direction is expected to continue for another 12 to 24 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Maria will pass north of Taiwan, but Maria will continue to drop heavy rain over Taiwan.  Maria will make landfall on the east coast of China near Fuding during the next 6 to 12 hours.  The typhoon will bring gusty winds, a storm surge and heavy rain to Zhejiang province in eastern China.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Typhoon Maria Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Maria neared the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday night the center of Typhoon Maria was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 126.4°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) east of Ishigaki, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

Typhoon Maria weakened slowly on Monday, but it remained a powerful typhoon.  Maria moved over some slightly cooler water mixed to the surface by recent Typhoon Prapiroon when it passed near the Ryukyu Islands.  Maria was unable to extract enough energy from the upper ocean to maintain the intense wind speeds it produced during the weekend.  However, Typhoon Maria was still the equivalent of a major hurricane.  There was a circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km).  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Maria.   Storms in the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the center of circulation.

Winds to typhoon force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Maria was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.4.  Those indices indicated that Typhoon Maria was capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Maria will move through an environment capable of sustaining a strong typhoon on Tuesday.  Maria will move west of the cooler water mixed to the surface by previous Typhoon Prapiroon and it will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Typhoon Maria will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Maria could weaken slowly on Tuesday if it is unable to extract enough energy from the upper ocean to sustain its circulation.  It could strengthen a little when it moves over slightly warmer water if it has time to extract more energy from the ocean.

Typhoon Maria was moving south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge was steering Maria toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue during the 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Maria will reach the southern Ryukyu Islands in six to twelve hours.  Maria will bring destructive winds, heavy rain and a storm surge.  It will be capable of causing major damage to Miyako Jima, Ishigaki Jima, Iriomote Jima and the other islands in the southern Ryukyus.  The strongest part of Typhoon Maria will pass south of Okinawa, which could experience rainbands in the outer portion of the circulation.  Typhoon Maria will pass near northern Taiwan in about 18 hours.  It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to that area and flash floods could occur.  Maria could be near Fuding on the coast of China in about 24 hours.

Dangerous Typhoon Maria Churns Toward the Ryukyu Islands

Dangerous Typhoon Maria churned closer to the Ryukyu Islands on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Maria was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 132.7°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Maria was moving toward the west-northwest at 19 m.p.h. (31 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Maria has a large symmetrical circulation.  There is a circular eye with a diameter of 32 miles (52 km) at the center of Maria.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Maria.  Storms around the core are generating well developed upper level divergence which is pumping away large amounts of mass from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 230 miles (370 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Maria is 33.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 23.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 57.0.

Typhoon Maria will remain in an environment favorable for strong typhoons for another 24 to 36 hours.  Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Maria will remain a large and dangerous typhoon for another day or two.

Typhoon Maria was moving south of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge was steering Maria toward the west-northwest and a general motion toward the west-northwest is likely to continue for another day or two.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Maria will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in about 24 hours.  Maria could be near northern Taiwan in about 36 hours and it could approach the coast of China in about 48 hours.

Typhoon Maria will bring strong winds, locally heavy rain and a significant storm surge.  Maria will be capable of causing major damage over a widespread area.