Tag Archives: Minami Tori Shima

Saola Intensifies to a Typhoon Near Northern Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Saola intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean near northern Luzon on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) east-northeast of Aparri, Philippines. Saola was moving toward the southwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 981 mb.

Typhoon Saola was continuing to intensify on Friday morning. A small circular eye was at the center of Saola’s circulation on microwave satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the eye generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were in the southern and eastern parts of Typhoon Saola. Bands in the northern and western parts of Saola’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Typhoon Saola was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 24 miles (40 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over South Asia and Southeast Asia. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Saola’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The vertical wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification and Typhoon Saola is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Saola will move around the western side of a large counterclockwise monsoon gyre east of the Philippines . The monsoon gyre will pull Saola toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola is forecast to make a slow counterclockwise loop east of Luzon.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 08W strengthened to Tropical Storm Damrey southeast of Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Damrey was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 155.5°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) southeast of Minami Tori Shima. Damrey was moving toward the northeast at 20 m.p.h. (33 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.

Nakri Strengthens to a Typhoon and Moves Toward Vietnam

Former Tropical Storm Nakri strengthened into a typhoon and started to move toward Vietnam on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Nakri was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 114.9°E which put it about 395 miles (635 km) east of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.  Nakri was moving toward the west 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 977 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Typhoon Nakri was asymmetrical.  A broken ring of showers and thunderstorms surrounded the center of Nakri.  The strongest thunderstorms were in the southern portion of the ring.  Most of the strongest rainbands were in the southern half of the typhoon, although there was one strong rainband along the northern periphery of the circulation.  Many of the other bands on the eastern and northern sides of Typhoon Nakri consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  It appeared that sinking, drier air was limiting the development of thunderstorms in the northern half of the circulation.

In spite of the effects of the drier air, the size of the circulation around Typhoon Nakri increased on Friday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center.

Typhoon Nakri will be moving through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Nakri 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 over southeast Asia and the South China Sea.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Drier air to the north of Typhoon Nakri will also inhibit intensification.  Nakri is likely to maintain its intensity during the next day or so, but it could start to weaken if the wind shear increases or more drier air sinks over the circulation.

The ridge over southeast Asia and the South China Sea will steer Typhoon Nakri toward the west during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Nakri could approach the coast of Vietnam in about 48 hours.  Typhoon Nakri could bring gusty winds and a storm surge for the central coast of Vietnam.  Nakri could drop locally heavy rainfall when it moves inland and flash floods could occur in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Halong was speeding away from Miami Tori Shima, Japan.  At 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 30.9°N and longitude 161.1°E which put it about 580 miles (935 km) northeast of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Tropical Storm Nakri Stalls West of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Nakri stalled west of the Philippines on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 116.8°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) west-southwest of Manila, Philippines.  Nakri was moving toward the south at 2 m.p.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 980 mb.

Tropical Storm Nakri meandered slowly west of the Philippines on Thursday.  The structure of Nakri did not change a lot during the day.  There was a distinct low level center center of circulation.  Thunderstorms were forming on the south side of the center and the strongest winds were occurring in those thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Nakri.  Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms south of the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Nakri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Nakri mixed cooler water to the surface during the period when it meandered west of the Philippines, but it will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C when it starts moving.  Tropical Storm Nakri will move southeast of an upper level ridge over southeast Asia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Nakri from strengthening.  Nakri will likely become a typhoon on Friday or Saturday.

Tropical Storm Nakri has been in an area where the steering winds have been weak and it has moved little during the past 24 hours.  The ridge over southeast Asia will strengthen and it will steer Nakri toward the east during the next 72 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Nakri could approach the coast of Vietnam in less than 72 hours.  Nakri is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches the coast of Vietnam.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Halong was passing north of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 154.4°E which put it about 175 miles (280 km) north of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Typhoon Halong Intensifies into Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Halong intensified into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 150.6°E which put it about 345 miles (560 km) southwest of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 180 m.p.h. (290 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 220 m.p.h. (355 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 900 mb.

Typhoon Halong intensified into one of the strongest tropical cyclones of 2019 over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.  There was a circular eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) at the center of Halong.  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 Halong.  Storm near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon along was compact and symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Halong was 42.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.6.

Typhoon Halong has probably reached its peak intensity.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  However, an upper level trough near Japan will approach Typhoon Halong from the northwest.  The trough will produce strong southwesterly winds which will start to increase the vertical wind shear.  More wind shear will cause Halong to weaken.

The upper level trough will start to steer Typhoon Halong toward the northeast in 12 to 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Halong will pass northwest of Minami Tori Shima on Thursday.  Even though it will weaken, Halong will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Nakri developed over the South China Sea between the Philippines and Vietnam on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 116.0°E which put it about 380 miles (615 km) west of Manila, Philippines.  Nakri was moving toward the northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Although Tropical Storm Nakri is currently moving toward the northeast, it is forecast to move back toward the west later this week.  Nakri will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Tropical Storm Nakri could strengthen into a typhoon before it reaches the coast of Vietnam.

Typhoon Halong Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Halong strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane northeast of the Northern Marianas on Monday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 18.9°N and longitude 152.1°E which put it about 390 miles (630 km) south of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 Halong continued to strengthen on Monday and it reached the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A small, well formed circular eye was evident on infrared satellite images.  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 Halong.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Halong increased in size on Monday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center.  The Hurricane intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Halong was 22.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index was 36.3.  Halong was capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Halong will remain in an environment favorable for intensification for another 24 hours.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the northwestern portion of an upper level ridge where the winds are weaker and there will be little vertical wind shear.  An upper level trough southwest of Japan will approach Typhoon Halong in 24 hours.  The trough will produce stronger southwesterly winds which will cause more vertical wind shear.  Halong will start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Typhoon Halong will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 36 to 48 hours.  The ridge will steer Halong toward the north-northwest.  Halong will move toward the northeast later this week after if moves around the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Halong could approach Minami Tori Shima in less than 72 hours.