Tag Archives: Palau

Tropical Storm Hagupit Passes North of Palau

Tropical Storm Hagupit passed north of Palau on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Hagupit was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 132.9°E which put the center about 220 miles (355 km) north-northwest of Koror, Palau.  Hagupit was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Hagupit maintained its intensity while it passed north of Palau on Saturday.  Even though Tropical Storm Hagupit maintained its maximum wind speed, some of the thunderstorms in Hagupit’s circulation dissipated.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Hagupit.  Bands in the western side of Hagupit’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms near the center of Hagupit generated less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of less mass caused the surface pressure to increase.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will move into an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Hagupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern end of an upper level trough that is south of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Hagupit’s circulation.  Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Hagupit is likely to weaken to a tropical depression on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.   The high pressure system will steer Hagupit toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Hagupit will move farther away from Palau.

Tropical Storm Hagupit Produces Gusty Winds on Yap

Tropical Storm Hagupit produced gusty winds on Yap on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Hagupit was located at latitude 8.8°N and longitude 136.6°E which put the center about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Yap.  Hagupit was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

Even though the center of Tropical Storm Hagupit passed south of Yap on Friday, Hagupit still produced gusty winds on Yap.  A weather station at the Yap International Airport (PTYA) reported a wind gust of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) on Friday.

Tropical Storm Hagupit weakened a little on Friday.  Some of the thunderstorms in bands in the western half of Hagupit’s circulation dissipated.  Numerous thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Hagupit.  Thunderstorms near the center of Hagupit generated a little less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of less mass caused the surface pressure to increase.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Hagupit.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Hagupit’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Hagupit were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will move into an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Hagupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern end of an upper level trough that is south of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Hagupit’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Tropical Storm Hagupit will weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Hagupit toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Hagupit will move away from Yap.  Hagupit will pass north of Palau during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Hagupit will continue to produce gusty winds on Yap during the next few hours until Hagupit moves farther away,  Hagupit will also bring passing showers and thunderstorms to Yap.  Locally heavy rainfall 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 Tuesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 9.1°N and longitude 135.0°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) north of Palau.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Tuesday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as a tropical depression.

The circulation around the tropical depression was gradually getting more organized.  More thunderstorms were developing in bands revolving around the center of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

The tropical depression will move through an environment 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.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the depression’s circulation.  The winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  The tropical depression is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Th tropical depression will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the tropical depression will move toward the southern Philippines.

 

Fung-wong Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Fung-wong strengthened to a typhoon east of the Philippines on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 12.1°N and longitude 134.6°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) north of Palau.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 982 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Fung-wong strengthened to a typhoon on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Fung-wong consisted primarily of showers and thunderstorms.  Storms near the center of Fung-wong 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 Fung-wong was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong 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 east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is drier air to the north and west of Typhoon Fung-wong.  However, that drier is will not be pulled into the typhoon during the next day or so.  Typhoon Fung-wong will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fung-wong is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Fung-wong 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 Fung-wong toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will be northeast of Samar in 24 hours.  Fung-wong will reach northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Luzon.  Fung-wong will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain will cause widespread flash floods.  Typhoon Fung-wong could also cause a storm surge of up to 14 fee (4 meters) along portions of the coast of Luzon.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Forms East of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 136.7°E which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) northwest of Yap.  Kalmaegi was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Kalmaegi exhibited more organization on Saturday.  New thunderstorms formed near the center of Kalmaegi’s circulation.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.  Storms near the center of Kalmaegi started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface to pressure to start to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Kalmaegi was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (85 km) from the center of Kalmaegi’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kalmaegi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kalmaegi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Kalmaegi could strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kalmaegi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kalmaegi will pass north of Palau in 12 hours.  Kalmaegi will approach the Philippines in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches the Philippines.  Kalmaegi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the central Philippines.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Rai Intensifies to a Typhoon East of the Philippines

Former Tropical Storm Rai intensified to a typhoon east of the Philippines on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Rai was located at latitude 9.0°N and longitude 131.7°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Koror, Palau. Rai was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

Former Tropical Storm Rai intensified steadily on Tuesday over the Western North Pacific Ocean and it reached typhoon intensity on Tuesday night. A small circular eye formed at the center of Rai. 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 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 Rai’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center.

Typhoon Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 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. Rai could intensify more rapidly now that an inner core with an eye and an eyewall has formed.

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 several days. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Rai could approach northern Mindanao in 24 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, Dinegat Island, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and Panay Island. Rai will cause a significant storm surge along coasts where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Tropical Storm Rai Strengthens East of Palau

Tropical Storm Rai strengthened east of Palau on Monday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Rai was located at latitude 7.7°N and longitude 136.3°E which put it about 170 miles (275 km) east of Koror, Palau. Rai was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Rai strengthened steadily over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Monday. Although Rai intensified, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Tropical Storm Rai’s circulation. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern side of the center of Rai’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Rai.

Tropical Storm Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 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 Tropical Storm Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the shear is already contributing to the current asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. The upper level winds are forecast to weaken, and the vertical wind shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Rai will intensify and it likely to strengthen to a typhoon during the next 24 hours. Rai could strengthen more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall forms.

Tropical Storm 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 several days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Rai will north of Palau during the next 12 hours. Rai could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Palau. Tropical Storm Rai could approach the Philippines in 60 hours. Rai is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches the Philippines.

Tropical Storm Rai Forms Southeast of Yap

Tropical Storm Rai formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Yap on Monday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Rai was located at latitude 5.5°N and longitude 140.5°E which put it about 355 miles (575 km) southeast of Yap. Rai 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 998 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system strengthened on Monday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Rai. Thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Rai. More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Rai. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Rai.

Tropical Storm Rai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days. 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 Tropical Storm Rai’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will be too small to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Rai will intensify during the next several days. Rai could strengthen to a typhoon within 36 hours. It could strengthen more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall forms.

Tropical Storm 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 several days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Rai will south of Yap during the next 24 hours. Rai could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Yap. Tropical Storm Rai could affect Palau within 36 hours. Rai could approach the Philippines within 72 hours. Rai is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches the Philippines.

Tropical Depression 04W Forms Southwest of Palau

Tropical Depression 04W formed southwest of Palau on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 04W was located at latitude 6.8°N and longitude 133.5°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Palau. It was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 circulation around Tropical Depression 04W was still organizing on Saturday night. Bands of thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the depression. The strongest rainbands were in the western half of the circulation. Bands on the eastern side of the tropical depression consisted mainly of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the depression.

Tropical Depression 04W will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression 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 east of the Philippines. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the depression. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification, but the shear will limit the rate of intensification. Tropical Depression 04W will likely intensify into a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression 04W will move around the western side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression 04W will move farther away from Palau. The tropical depression is forecast to pass east of the Philippines.

Typhoon Surigae Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 10.3°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 220 miles (330 km) northwest of Palau. Surigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 944 mb.

Typhoon Surigae rapidly intensified on Friday as it moved farther away from Palau. A small circular eye was present at the center of 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 Surigae. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions. The removal of mass allowed the pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Surigae increased in size on Friday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Surigae was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.9. Surigae was a large, dangerous typhoon capable of causing major damage.

Typhoon Surigae will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Surigae will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures will be near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation. However, the winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Surigae will likely continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Surigae to weaken.

Typhoon Surigae will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high will steer Surigae toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. After that time Typhoon Surigae will move more toward the north when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Typhoon Surigae could be east of the Philippines in 36 hours.