Tag Archives: Okinawa

Typhoon Dolphin Moves Toward Eastern China

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Typhoon Dolphin moved away from Okinawa and toward eastern China on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 126.2°E which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) east-southeast of Wenzhou, China. Dolphin was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin maintained its intensity as it moved away from Okinawa on Friday.  A small circular eye was visible at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  A band of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that band of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dolphin’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Friday.

Typhoon Dolphin was a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 145 miles (235 km) in the northern half of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 305 miles (490 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 32.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 50.1.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Frances when Frances hit South Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the circulation around Typhoon Dolphin could pull drier air over China into its circulation.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to start to weaken gradually as it moved closer to eastern China.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin could hit the east coast of China in less than 48 hours.

The large circulation around Typhoon Dolphin will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands on Saturday.

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of eastern China by the end of the weekend.  Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the east coast of China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom weakened east of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 157.3°E which put the center about 1100 miles (1775 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest 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 990 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin Hits Okinawa

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Typhoon Dolphin hit Okinawa on Thursday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 128.3°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) north-northeast of Okinawa.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin started to intensify on Thursday evening as it approached Okinawa.  A small circular eye was visible at the center of Dolphin’s circulation on satellite and radar images.   Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dolphin’s circulation.    Storms near the core of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was greater than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure decreased a little on Thursday.

The eye of Typhoon Dolphin was passing just to the north of Okinawa.  The southern part of the eyewall of Dolphin was passing over northern Okinawa.

A weather station at Naha Airport (ROAH) in Okinawa reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 61 m.p.h. (98 km/h).

Typhoon Dolphin was a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northern half of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 38.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 54.8

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin could intensify on Friday as long as Okinawa does not disrupt the inner core of its circulation..

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will move west of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  Dolphin could hit the east coast of China in less than 48 hours.

Typhoon Dolphin will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  The strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur in Okinawa.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of some of the islands.

Even the center of Typhoon Dolphin will pass north of Taiwan, bands in the southern part of Dolphin’s circulation will drop heavy rain on northern Taiwan.

Typhoon Dolphin will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Chan-hom formed southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Chan-hom was located at latitude 29.6°N and longitude 160.3°E which put the center about 1300 miles (2095 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Chan-hom was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

Typhoon Dolphin Continues Toward Okinawa

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Typhoon Dolphin continued to move toward Okinawa on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 132.9°E which put the center about 355 miles (570 km) east of Okinawa.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 956 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin weakened slowly on Wednesday.  The circulation around Dolphin pulled some drier air close to the core of the typhoon.  The drier air caused thunderstorms in some parts of Typhoon Dolphin to weaken.

There was still a small circular eye at the center of Typhoon Dolphin.  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 still were revolving around the core of Dolphin’s circulation.  There were wider areas of clear air in between the rainbands.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Wednesday.

The circulation around Typhoon Dolpin was still large on Wednesday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 305 miles (490 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 44.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 58.6. Typhoon Dolphin is similar in intensity to Hurricane Sandy was when Sandy hit the East Coast of the U.S. in 2012.  Typhoon Dolphin is not quite as big as Sandy was.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the drier air being pulled into Dolphin’s circulation will inhibit intensification.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to maintain its intensity on Thursday.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will be near Minami Daito Jima in 12 hours. The center of Typhoon Dolpin will approach Okinawa in 24 hours,

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Minami Daito Jima and to the central Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa later this week.  Heavy rains are likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of some of the islands.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kujira dropped heavy rain on parts of Luzon.  Kujira weakened to a tropical depression after the center moved over Luzon.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Kujira was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 121.6°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Cauayan, Philippines.  Kujira was moving toward the east-southeast 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 997 mb.

 

Typhoon Dolphin Moves Toward Okinawa

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Typhoon Dolphin moved toward Okinawa on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 25.5°N and longitude 137.7°E which put the center about 655 miles (1055 km) east of Okinawa.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 943 mb.

The intensity of Typhoon Dolphin fluctuated a little on Tuesday, but Dolphin ended the day as strong as it was when the day started.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.

Typhoon Dolphin appeared to pull some drier air into its circulation on Tuesday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms still were revolving around the core of Dolphin’s circulation.  However, there were wider areas of clear air in between the rainbands.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much again on Tuesday.

The circulation around Typhoon Dolpin got even larger on Tuesday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 40.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 61.2.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in intensity to Hurricane Irma was when Irma hit South Florida in 2017.  Typhoon Dolphin is much larger than Irma was.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to maintain its intensity on Wednesday unless another eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will be near Minami Daito Jima in less than 36 hours.  The center of Typhoon Dolpin will be near Okinawa in 48 hours,

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Minami Daito Jima and to the central Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa later this week.  Heavy rains are likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Dolphin could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of some of the islands.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kujira formed west of Luzon.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Kujira was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 119.0°E which put the center about 260 miles (420 km) northwest of Manila, Philippines.  Kujira was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

Typhoon Dolphin Brings Wind and Rain to Iwo To

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Typhoon Dolphin brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Monday.  The center of Dolphin’s circulation was still east of Iwo To.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 142.6°E which put the center about 105 miles (1650 km) east of Iwo To.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 947 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin maintained its intensity after it completed another eyewall replacement cycle.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Dophin’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 Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Monday.

Multiple eyewall replacement cycles have turned Dolphin into a large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northern side of Dolphin’s circulation. Winds to typhoon force only extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the southern side of Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 25.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 45.7.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Irma was when Irma hit South Florida in 2017.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin could intensify on Tuesday unless another  eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will cross Iwo To during the next few hours.  The center of Dolphin’s circulation will approach Minami Daito Jima in 48 hours.  The center of Typhoon Dolpin will be near Okinawa in 3 days,

Typhoon Dolphin will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To on Tuesday.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Typhoon Dolphin will be capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Minami Daito Jima and to the central Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa later this week.

Typhoon Dolphin Approaches Iwo To

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Typhoon Dolphin was approaching Iwo To on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 24.5°N and longitude 147.8°E which put the center about 445 miles (720 km) east of Iwo To.  Dolphin was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 949 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin appeared to be in the middle of another eyewall replacement cycle on Sunday evening.  A small circular eye was at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds occurred in that ring of storms.  A second larger ring of thunderstorms with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) surrounded the inner eye and eyewall.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure started to increase again on Sunday.

Multiple eyewall replacement cycles were having an effect on the structure of Typhoon Dolphin.   Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northern side of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force only extended out 35 miles in the southern side of Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 25.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 46.1.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Irma was when Irma hit South Florida in 2017.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to weaken a little on Monday. as it completes the current eyewall replacement cycle.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will reach Iwo To in 24 hours.  The center of Dolphin’s circulation will approach Minami Daito Jima in three days.  The center of Typhoon Dolpin will be near Okinawa To in 4 days,

Typhoon Dolphin will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Typhoon Dolphin will be capable of causing major damage.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala Passes West of Okinawa

The center of Tropical Storm Mekkhala passed west of Okinawa on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mekkhala was located at latitude 27.9°N and longitude 127.5°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Okinawa.  Mekkhala was moving toward the north-northeast 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 983 mb.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala continued to weaken as it passed west of Okinawa on Thursday.  Mekkhala moved under the southern part of an upper level trough that was over South Korea,  The upper level trough produced westerly winds that blew toward the top of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear blew the tops off of most of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Mekkhala.  Bands revolving around the center of Mekkhala’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Mekkhala became more asymmetrical on Thursday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern side of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Mekkhala.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the upper level trough over South Korea will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Mekkhala could weaken to a tropical depression during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mekkhala will be near Tokyo in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala could bring gusty winds to the southern coast of Honshu including Tokyo during the next 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Higos strengthened south of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 133.9°E which put the center about 155 miles (250 km) east-southeast of Minamidaitojima, Japan.  Higos was moving toward the north at 30 m.p.h. (48 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.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Mekkhala was nearing the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Mekkhala was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 125.6°E which put the center about 45 miles (75 km) south of Miyakojima, Japan.  Mekkhala was moving toward the north-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 986 mb.

Former Typhoon Mekkhala weakened to a tropical storm as it approached the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday.  An upper level ridge over China continued to produce northeasterly winds that blew toward the top of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear caused former Typhoon Mekkhala to weaken to a tropical storm.

The northeasterly winds in the upper levels also continued to blow the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that tried to form in the northern half of Tropical Storm Mekkhala.  A few more thunderstorms did develop near the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Mekkhala.  Bands in the northern half of Mekkhala still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the typhoon.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure continued to increase on Wednesday.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Mekkhala increased a little on Wednesday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China will continue to cause vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear may be a little less on Thursday.  Tropical Storm Mekkhala could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours if the vertical wind shear is a little less.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mekkhala will pass over Miyakojima during the next few hours.  Mekkhala could be near Okinawa in 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands including Ishigakijima and Miyakojima.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Mekkhala will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression Higos strengthened back to a tropical storm on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 137.1°E which put the center about 540 miles (870 km) south-southwest of Iwo To.  Higos was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1002 mb.

Jangmi Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Jangmi brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 128.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Tropical Storm Jangmi brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Monday.  A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa (RODN) reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h) and a wind gust of 71 m.p.h. (115 km/h).

Former Typhoon Jangmi weakened back to a tropical storm Monday.  A large eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) was still present at the center of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was pulling drier air around the western and southern parts of Jangmi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Jangmi.  Bands in the western and southern sides of Jangmi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Storms near the center of Jangmi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels.  So, the surface pressure increased gradually.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jangmi was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (330 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is over the east coast of China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jangmi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jangmi will continue to weaken slowly during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the east coast of China will steer Tropical Storm Jangmi toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Jangmi will move over the northern Ryukyu Islands.  The center of Tropical Storm Jangmi will be southeast of Kyushu in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Ryukyu Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Jangmi will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu.

Typhoon Jangmi Approaches Okinawa

Typhoon Jangmi was approaching Okinawa on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Jangmi was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 127.7°E which put the center about 255 miles (410 km) south of Okinawa.  Jangmi was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

The northern part of Typhoon Jangmi was already affecting Okinawa on Sunday morning.  A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base (RODN) was reporting a sustained wind speed of 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and a wind gusts of 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) even though the center of Jangmi was 255 miles (410 km) south of the station.

Typhoon Jangmi continued to intensify slowly during Saturday night.   A very large circular eye was at the center of Typhoon Jangmi.  The eye had a diameter of 80 miles (130 km).  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 center Jangmi’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Jangmi 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 Jangmi was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Jangmi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Typhoon Jangmi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Jangmi was 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 29.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.4.

Typhoon Jangmi will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jangmi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is over the east coast of China.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jangmi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Typhoon Jangmi will start to weaken slowly when the vertical wind shear increases.

Typhoon Jangmi will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jangmi toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Jangmi will reach Okinawa in 18 hours.

Typhoon Jangmi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa.  Heavy rain is could cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Jangmi could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coasts of the Ryukyu Islands.