Tag Archives: Miyazaki

Tropical Storm Peipah Forms Near Kyushu

Tropical Storm Peipah formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean just to the south of Kyushu on Wednesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Peipah was located at latitude 30.3°N and longitude 131.4°E which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) south of Miyazaki, Japan.  Peipah was moving toward the north at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 999 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean just to the south of Kyushu strengthened on Wednesday evening and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Peipah.

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

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Peipah was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) in the eastern side of Peipah’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Peipah were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Peipah will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Peipah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Peipah’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Peipah could intensify a little during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Peipah will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Peipah toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Peipah will pass just to the east of Kyushu during the next 12 hours.  Peipah could move near the southern coast of Shikoku later on Thursday.  The center of Tropical Storm Peipah could be south of Osaka in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Peipah will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Lupit Brings Rain to Japan

Tropical Storm Lupit brought rain to Japan on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Miyazaki, Japan. Lupit was moving toward the east-northeast at 26 m.p.h. (42 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the coast of Kyushu near Kagoshima on Sunday. Lupit was being steered quickly toward the east-northeast by an upper level trough near the Korean Peninsula. The trough was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lupit’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were affecting the distribution of rain in Tropical Storm Lupit. Most of the heavier rain was falling in bands north and east of the center of Lupit. The heavier rain was falling over Shikoku, northern Kyushu and southwestern Honshu. Bands south and west of the center of circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring in the southern half of Tropical Storm Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) on the south side of Lupit. The winds in the northern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

The trough near the Korean Peninsula will steer Tropical Storm Lupit quickly toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Lupit will move over the southern Sea of Japan. The center of Tropcial Storm Lupit could be near northern Honshu in 36 hours. Rain will spread over the rest of Honshu and Hokkaido during the next two days. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification. Lupit will move over water in the Sea of Japan where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level trough will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The lower part of Lupit’s circulation will also be disrupted while it passes over land. Tropical Storm Lupit is not likely to strengthen significantly and it could weaken if the center does not move over the Sea of Japan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Mirinae was moving eastward away from Japan. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 144.7°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) east-northeast of Tokyo, Japan. Mirinae was moving toward the northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 990 mb.

Typhoon Francisco Brings Wind and Rain to Kyushu

Typhoon Francisco brought wind and rain to Kyushu on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Francisco was located at latitude 32.2°N and longitude 131.4°E which put it about 20 miles (35 km) north of Miyazaki, Japan.  Francisco was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Typhoon Francisco strengthened on Monday as it neared the coast of Kyushu.  A small eye developed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Francisco.  The stronger bands were primarily in the eastern half of the circulation.

The core of Typhoon Francisco made landfall on Kyushu just to the north of Miyazaki.  Typhoon Francisco will bring very heavy rain and strong gusty winds to much of Kyushu.  Francisco is forecast to turn toward the northwest and the center of circulation will move across the middle of Kyushu.  Locally heavy rain falling on steep terrain will create the potential for serious flash flooding in some locations.  Rainbands in the eastern half of Typhoon Francisco will also drop locally heavy rain over parts of western Shikoku and western Honshu.

Typhoon Francisco will weaken when it moves across Honshu, but then it will move over the Korea Strait and make another landfall in South Korea.  Francisco will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern South Korea on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lekima continue to meander east of Luzon.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lekima was located at latitude 18.7° and longitude 129.3°E which put it about 670 miles (1085 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Lekima was moving toward the southwest 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 990 mb.