Tag Archives: Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Mawar Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Mawar strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Mawar was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 142.2°E which put it about 145 miles (230 km) west-northwest of Guam. Mawar was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (320 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 910 mb.

Bands in the eastern side of Typhoon Mawar’s circulation were still producing gusty winds and locally heavy rain over parts of Guam on Thursday morning. A Flash Flood Warning was in effect for Guam.

Typhoon Mawar intensified after it moved west of the Marianas on Thursday morning. Mawar strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane. A circular eye with a diameter of 26 miles (43 km) was present at the center of Typhoon Mawar. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Mawar. Storms near the core of Mawar’s circulation generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm in all directions. The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Mawar increased after an eyewall replacement cycle finished and Mawar intensified again. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Typhoon Mawar. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of Mawar. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mawar was 36.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 56.6. Mawar was bigger and stronger than Hurricane Maria was when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Mawar will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Mawar could intensify during the next 24 hours unless a new eyewall replacement cycle begins.

Typhoon Mawar will move around the southern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Mawar toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mawar will move farther away from the Marianas. Mawar could move south of the Ryukyu Islands in a few days.

Typhoon Nanmadol Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Nanmadol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane south of Japan during Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 535 miles (860 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Typhoon Nanmadol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan during Thursday night. A well formed circular eye was present at the center of Nanmadol’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 Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

The circulation around Typhoon Nanmadol was symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Nanmadol was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.2. Typhoon Nanmadol was capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nanmadol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Nanmadol will intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That would be the start of an eyewall replacement cycle that would cause Nanmadol to weaken.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward then northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Nanmadol will be east of Minami Daito Jima within 24 hours. Nanmadol could be east of Amami Oshima in 36 hours. Typhoon Nanmadol will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the northern Ryukyu Islands during the weekend.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Muifa weakened over the northern Yellow Sea. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 38.5°N and longitude 121.8°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Yantai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

Nanmadol Strengthens to a Typhoon South of Japan

Former Tropical Storm Nanmadol strengthened to a typhoon south of Japan on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 137.5°E which put it about 660 miles (1065 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 Nanmadol intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Thursday morning. A circular eye formed at the center of Nanmadol’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 Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation in the northern side of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Nanmadol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Nanmadol will intensify during the next 36 hours. It is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward then northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nanmadol could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Nanmadol is likely to be a large, dangerous typhoon when it moves near the north Ryukyu Islands.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Muifa weakened over the Yellow Sea and Typhoon Merbok was transitioning to a powerful extratropical cyclone south of the western Aleutian Islands. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 34.6°N and longitude 120.3°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Qingdao, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 994 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Merbok was located at latitude 41.0°N and longitude 166.0°E which put it about 890 miles (1435 km) south-southwest of Kiska, Alaska. Merbok was moving toward the north-northeast at 45 m.p.h. (75 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 960 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Muifa Nears Ishigakijima

Powerful Typhoon Muifa neared Ishigakijima on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 Muifa was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it approached Ishigakijima from the south of Sunday. morning. A small circular eye was present at the center of Muifa’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The inner end of a rainband wrapped part of the way around the eye and eyewall. A second concentric eyewall may be in the process of developing. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.2. Typhoon Muifa was capable causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, two factors could prevent Typhoon Muifa from intensifying even though it will be in a favorable environment. First, if concentric eyewalls develop, then Muifa could weaken when an eyewall replacement cycle occurs. Second, Typhoon Muifa will move slowly and its winds could mix cooler water up to the surface of the ocean. Typhoon Muifa could intensify a little more during the next 12 hours, but it is likely to slowly weaken after that time.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Muifa could be over Ishigakijima within 24 hours. Muifa is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands. The center of Typhoon Muifa could pass directly over Ishigakijima. Ishigakijima is already reporting heavy rain. The wind speeds will increase steadily as the center of Muifa approaches. Typhoon Muifa is capable of causing severe damage. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 15W was spinning west-northwest of Wake Island. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression 15W was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 160.0°E which put it about 460 miles (745 km) west-northwest of Wake Island. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1003 mb.

Typhoon Muifa Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Muifa intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane south of the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 140 miles (230 km) south-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (230 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Muifa intensified rapidly to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of the southern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was present at the center of Muifa’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 Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Muifa increased in size when it intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km/h) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.2. Typhoon Muifa was capable of causing regional major damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Muifa could be near Ishigakijima within 36 hours. Muifa is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands. The center of Typhoon Muifa could pass directly over Ishigakijima. Muifa will produce strong, damaging winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 15W formed west-northwest of Wake Island. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 15W was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 160.0°E which put it about 455 miles (735 km) west-southwest of Wake Island. The tropical depression was moving toward the northeast 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 1003 mb.

Muifa Intensifies to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Muifa intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 125.8°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Muifa strengthened over the warm water in the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday and it intensified to a typhoon south of the southern Ryukyu Islands. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of circulation. A small eye appeared to be developing at the center of Typhoon Muifa. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Muifa’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extend out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could be south of Ishigakijima in 36 hours. Muifa could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Muifa Forms Southeast of the Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Muifa formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 132.6°E which put it about 730 miles (1175 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Muifa was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 997 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system southeast of the Ryukyu Islands exhibited more organization on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Muifa. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Muifa was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Muifa’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Muifa consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms west of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa 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 ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Muifa will intensify during the next 48 hours. Muifa could strengthen to a typhoon in 24 hours. Muifa could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Muifa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Muifa could approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 72 hours. Muifa is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Stalls near Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Hinnamnor stalled near the southern Ryukyu Islands on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 125.3°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) south-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Hinnamnor was moving toward the northwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor stalled and weakened southeast of the southern Ryukyu Islands on Thursday. When Hinnamnor stalled, strong winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere mixed cooler water to the surface of the Western North Pacific. Typhoon Hinnamnor was unable to extract enough energy from the upper ocean to maintain its intensity and it weakened. The northern and western parts of the eyewall weakened. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Bands in the northern and western parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Hinnamnor still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor increased on Thursday when the typhoon weakened. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.0. Typhoon Hinnamnor was capable of causing regional serious damage.

A high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean will start to steer Typhoon Hinnamnor toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 24 hours. Hinnamnor will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The core of Hinnamnor will still be over cooler water that was mixed to the surface for much of Friday. An upper level ridge over China will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Hinnamnor’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification. Typhoon Hinnamnor could weaken further during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C during the weekend, when it moves north of the cooler water that has been mixed to the surface. Typhoon Hinnamnor could strengthen again when it moves over warmer water..

Typhoon Hinnamnor Strengthens Back to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor strengthened back to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson southeast of the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 125.7°E which put it about 165 miles (270 km) southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Hinnamnor was moving toward the south-southwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 915 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor intensified back to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane after the completion of an eyewall replacement cycle southeast of the southern Ryukyu Islands. A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Hinnamnor. 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 Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor began to contract again after the completion of the eyewall replacement cycle. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.1. Hinnamnor was capable of causing regional catastrophic damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through region where the upper level winds are weak and there there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Hinnamnor could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless concentric eyewalls form again.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will finish absorbing the circulation of Tropical Depression 13W that is located southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 13W was located at at latitude 24.5°N and longitude 129.0°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will moved toward the southwest during the next 24 hours as it finishes the absorption of Tropical Depression 13W. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Hinnamnor will move south of the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor could be in an area where the steering winds are weak after it absorbs the tropical depression. Typhoon Hinnamnor could start to move toward the north back toward the southern Ryukyu Islands on Friday.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Moves South of Okinawa

Typhoon Hinnamnor moved south of Okinawa on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 127.3°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) south of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.

Concentric eyewalls developed at the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor on Tuesday night. The original eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was still present at the center of Hinnamnor. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall. An outer eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) surrounded the original eye and eyewall. Typhoon Hinnamnor weakened slightly as the winds in the inner eyewall decreased slightly. The core of Hinnamnor still generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor increased when the concentric eyewalls developed. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.3. Hinnamnor was capable of causing regional severe damage.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 30˚C. It will move through region where the winds at all levels of the troposphere are blowing from the east. Since the winds at different levels are blowing from the same direction, there will be little vertical wind shear. Even though it will be in a favorable environment, Typhoon Hinnamnor will weaken as the inner eyewall weakens because of the eyewall replacement cycle. More of the low level inflow will become concentrated in the outer eyewall. Hinnamnor could strengthen again after the eyewall replacement cycle is completed.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will interact with Tropical Depression 13W that is located southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday morning center of Tropical Depression 13W was located at at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 131.6°E which put it about 400 miles (640 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1000 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will moved toward the southwest during the next 24 hours as it moves around the western side of Tropical Depression 13W. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Hinnamnor will move south of the southern Ryukyu Islands. The much stronger circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor will eventually absorb the weaker tropical depression. Hinnamnor could be in an area where the steering winds are weak after it absorbs the tropical depression. Typhoon Hinnamnor could meander near the southern Ryukyu Islands later this week.