Tag Archives: Mindanao

Tropical Storm Penha Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Philippines

Tropical Storm Penha brought wind and rain to the southern Philippines on Thursday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Penha was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 126.4°E which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) east of Lianga, Philippines.  Penha was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 1001 mb.

Tropical Storm Penha brought wind and rain to the southern Philippines on Thursday.  Bands in the western side of Penha’s circulation were dropping rain on northern Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, and Negros.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

The area of strongest winds in Tropical Storm Penha was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Penha’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Penha will move around the southern part of the high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Penha toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Penha will move across northern Mindanao during the next few hours.  Penha will reach the Bohol Sea in 12 hours.  Tropical Storm Penha will be over the northern Sulu Sea in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Penha will move into an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tropical Storm Penha will weaken while the center moves over northern Mindanao.   Penha will then move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce strong southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Penha’s circulation.  The winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, Penha will move into a region of drier air by the time it reaches the northern part of the Sulu Sea.  The strong vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Storm Penha to continue to weaken even when the center gets back of water.

 

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Penha

A tropical depression over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Mindanao strengthened to Tropical Storm Penha on Wednesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Penha was located at latitude 8.6°N and longitude 131.0°E which put the center about 330 miles (530 km) west of Tandag, Philippines.  Penha was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

A tropical depression east of Mindanao strengthened on Wednesday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Penha.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Penha was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Penha’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Penha consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Penha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Penha was interacting with a large high pressure system that was south of Japan.  The interaction with the high pressure system was causing the distribution of wind speeds in Penha to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Penha.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the southern half of Penha’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Penha will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Penha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Penha’s circulation.  The winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Penha could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Penha will move around the southern part of the high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Penha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Penha will reach Mindanao in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Penha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Mindanao and the rest of the southern Philippines.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Jelawat Brings Wind and Rain to Mindanao

Former Tropical Storm Jelawat brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Mindanao on Sunday night. Jelawat weakened to a tropical depression after the center moved over Mindanao. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Jelawat was located at latitude 7.2°N and longitude 126.0°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east of Davao City, Philippines. Jelawat was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1003 mb.

The center of former Tropical Storm Jelawat made landfall on the coast of Mindanao between Baganga and Manay on Sunday evening. The maximum sustained wind speed in Jelawat was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the western side of Jelawat’s circulation were dropping heavy rain over parts of Mindanao, Former Tropical Storm Jelawat weakened to a tropical depression when the center of circulation moved over mountains in eastern Mindanao.

Tropical Depression Jelawat will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Jelawat toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Depression Jelawat will move across Mindanao. Jelawat will continue to drop heavy rain over Mindanao. Heavy rain will likely cause flash floods in some location. Tropical Depression Jelawat will also cause gusty winds in the Davao Gulf, the Moro Gulf and the Bohol Sea.

Tropical Storm Jelawat Develops East of Mindanao

Tropical Storm Jelawat developed east of Mindanao on Saturday night. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jelawat was located at latitude 7.5°N and longitude 129.2°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) east of Baganga, Philippines. Jelawat was moving toward the west 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 1002 mb.

A tropical depression that formed on Saturday morning strengthened, and the Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Jelawat. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western and northern sides of Tropical Storm Jelawat. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of the Jelawat’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jelawat was interacting with a large high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and East Asia. The pressure gradient between the high pressure system and Jelawat’s circulation was producing a large area of tropical storm force winds in the western side of Jelawat. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) in the western side of Jelawat. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Jelawat will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Jelawat will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jelawat’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Jelawat could intensify a little more, if the upper level winds do not get any stronger. When the upper level winds get stronger, then Jelawat will weaken.

Tropical Storm Jelawat will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Jelawat toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jelawat will reach Mindanao in 18 hours. Jelawat will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Mindanao. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Depression Forms East of the Philippines

A tropical depression formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Saturday morning. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of a tropical depression was located at latitude 7.4°N and longitude 131.5°E which put it about 335 miles (540 km) east of Baganga, Philippines. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 1006 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Mindanao on Saturday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as a tropical depression. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western and northern sides of the tropical depression. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of the depression’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression.

The tropical depression will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the depression’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to stop intensification. The tropical depression could strengthen to a tropical storm, if the upper level winds do not get any stronger.

The tropical depression will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean and East Asia. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west. On its anticipated track the tropical depression will reach Mindanao in less than 24 hours. The tropical depression will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Mindanao. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Nalgae Strengthens to a Typhoon South-Southeast of Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Nalgae strengthened to a typhoon over the South China Sea south-southeast of Hong Kong on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Nalgae was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 116.3°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southeast of Hong Kong. Nalgae was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 Nalgae strengthened gradually over the South China Sea south-southeast of Hong Kong on Monday. A large eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Nalgae’s circulation. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Nalgae. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) in the western side of Nalgae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 330 miles (515 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nalgae will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the western side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Nalgae’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Nalgae is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move into an environment where there is drier air in the lower levels of the atmosphere when it moves closer to China. Typhoon Nalgae will weaken when the drier air gets pulled into its circulation.

Typhoon Nalgae will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nalgae toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nalgae will move closer to Hong Kong during the next 24 hours. Nalgae will move more toward the west when it encounters the drier environment near China and weakens.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Banyan developed east of the Philippines. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Banyan was located at latitude 7.3°N and longitude 131.2°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) east of Mindanao. Banyan was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 Rai Brings Wind and Rain to the Southern Philippines

Typhoon Rai brought wind and rain to the southern Philippines on Thursday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 10.0°N and longitude 120.4°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) east of Puerto Princesa, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 956 mb.

Typhoon Rai brought strong winds and heavy rain as it moved across the southern Philippines on Thursday. The core of Typhoon Rai affected Siarago Island, Dinagat Island, northern Mindanao, southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros and southern Panay Island. There were reports of wind damage, power outages and flash floods across the southern Philippines.

Typhoon Rai moved over the Sulu Sea on Thursday night and its structure remained well organized. A circular eye was present at the center of Rai’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken 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 Rai. Storms near the core of Rai generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (245 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.5. Rai was capable of causing regional major damage.

Although Typhoon Rai weakened when the center passed over the islands of the southern Philippines, it will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon as it moves over the Sulu Sea. Rai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to cause much weakening. Typhoon Rai is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours. Rai could strengthen when it moves over the South China Sea during the weekend.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Rai will move across Palawan during the next 12 hours. Rai will be capable of causing major damage. It will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Palawan on Friday. Typhoon Rai will move over the South China Sea during the weekend. Rai could approach Vietnam by the end of the weekend.

Typhoon Rai Hits the Southern Philippines

Powerful Typhoon Rai hit the southern Philippines on Thursday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 10.0°N and longitude 125.3°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Maasin, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

The center of powerful Typhoon Rai made landfall on Siargao Island on Thursday morning. The core of Rai’s circulation moved over Dinagat Island and northern Mindanao. The center of Typhoon Rai was over the Bohol Sea just to the south of Leyte. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall of Typhoon Rai as it hit the southern Philippines. Microwave satellite images indicated that concentric eyewalls formed, which increased the size of the core of Rai. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Typhoon Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.5. Rai was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Rai will weaken when the center is over land, but it will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon as it moves over the southern Philippines. Rai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to cause much weakening. Typhoon Rai weaken gradually when the center passes over land.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Rai will pass over southern Leyte, northern Bohol, Cebu, northern Negros, southern Panay Island, northern Palawan, Linapacan Island, Culion Island and Busuanga Island. Typhoon Rai will weaken when the center passes over land, but it will be the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moves across the southern Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Negros, Bohol, Panay Island, Palawan, Linacapan Island, Culion Island and Busuanga Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore. Typhoon Rai could cause severe damage in locations that experience the inner core of the circulation.

Typhoon Rai Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Rai rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 128.3°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) east of Dinagat, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 Rai intensified very rapidly during Wednesday afternoon and it reached the equivalent of a major hurricane. . A small circular eye with a diameter of 8 miles (13 km) was at the center of Rai’s circulation. 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 Rai. Storms near the core of Rai generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away to the west and north of the typhoon. The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Rai increased in size as it rapidly intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.2. Typhoon Rai was capable of doing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Rai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Typhoon Rai will continue to strengthen during the next 12 hours. Rai could continue to rapidly intensify during the next few hours.

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Rai could approach northern Mindanao in 12 hours. Rai will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches the Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Panay Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Typhoon Rai Strengthens East of Mindanao

Typhoon Rai strengthened east of Mindanao on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 129.3°E which put it about 260 miles (415 km) east of Dinagat, Philippines. Rai was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 969 mb.

Typhoon Rai continued to intensify during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. A small circular eye was at the center of Rai’s circulation. 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 Rai. The strongest rainbands were in the western and southern parts of the typhoon. Storms near the core of Rai generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Rai tightened as it intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Rai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Rai was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 23.9. Typhoon Rai was capable of doing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Rai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Typhoon Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Typhoon Rai will continue to strengthen during the next 18 hours. Rai could undergo a period of rapid intensification

Typhoon Rai will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Rai toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Rai could approach northern Mindanao in 18 hours. Rai will be a typhoon when it reaches the Philippines. Typhoon Rai will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mindanao, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Panay Island. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.