Tag Archives: Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Hinnamnor Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Western North Pacific Ocean near Minami Daito Jima on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 131.2°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) east-northeast of Minami Daito Jima and about 255 miles (410 km) east of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 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.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday afternoon. A circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was at the center of Hinnamnor’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 Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large quantities of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor contracted in size when the typhoon intensified to Category 5. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.8. 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 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. Typhoon Hinnamnor could maintain much of its intensity during the next 24 hours, if the inner end of rainband does not wrap around the existing eye and eyewall. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Hinnamnor could to weaken temporarily.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will interact with Tropical Depression 13W that formed southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday morning center of Tropical Depression 13W was located at at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 133.0°E which put it about 555 miles (895 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 move toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours when its circulation interacts with the tropical depression. On its anticipated track the core of Typhoon Hinnamnor will be near Minami Daito Jima in a few hours. Hinnamnor could cause catastrophic wind damage on Minami Daito Jima. Very heavy rain could cause flash floods. Typhoon Hinnamnor will also cause a significant storm surge along the coast of Minami Daito Jima. Widespread electrical outages are likely. The center of Hinnamnor could be southeast of Okinawa in 12 hours.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will eventually absorb the circulation around the tropical depression. Hinnamnor could move slowly around the southern Ryukyu Islands while it absorbs the depression. A prolonged period of strong winds and heavy rain could affect the southern Ryukyu Islands later this week.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor Moves Toward Okinawa

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor moved toward Okinawa on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 360 miles (575 km) east of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 910 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was at the center of Hinnamnor’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 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 increased in size when the typhoon intensified. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.9. 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. Typhoon Hinnamnor could intensify during the next 24 hours, if the inner end of rainband does not wrap around the existing eye and eyewall. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Hinnamnor could to weaken temporarily.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will interact with a tropical depression that formed southeast of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday morning the tropical depression was centered at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 133.1°E which put it about 585 miles (945 km) southeast of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 move toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours when its circulation interacts with the tropical depression. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor will be near Minami Daito Jima in 12 hours. Hinnamnor could cause severe wind damage on Minami Daito Jima. Very heavy rain could cause flash floods. Typhoon Hinnamnor will also cause a significant storm surge along the coast of Minami Daito Jima. Widespread electrical outages are likely. The center of Hinnamnor could be south of Okinawa in 24 hours.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will eventually absorb the circulation around the tropical depression. Hinnamnor could move slowly around the southern Ryukyu Islands while it absorbs the depression. A prolonged period of strong winds and heavy rain could affect the southern Ryukyu Islands later this week.

Typhoon Hinnamnor Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Hinnamnor rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 140.4°E which put it about 835 miles (1345 km) east of Okinawa. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Hinnamnor rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane in a very favorable environment over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Chichi Jima. A small circular eye was at the center of Hinnamnor’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 Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of large quantities of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.8.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an area favorable for intensification 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. Typhoon Hinnamnor is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends over Japan. The high pressure system will steer Hinnamnor toward the west during the 48 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor could approach the Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Hinnamnor will continue to produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain on Chichi Jima during the next few hours until it moves farther away. Typhoon Hinnamnor is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the Ryukyu Islands.

Hinnamnor Rapidly Intensifies to a Typhoon Near Chichi Jima

Former Tropical Storm Hinnamnor rapidly intensified to a typhoon near Chichi Jima on Monday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Hinnamnor was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 142.2°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) north of Chichi Jima. Hinnamnor was moving toward the west at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 967 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Hinnamnor rapidly intensified to a typhoon in a favorable environment over the Western North Pacific Ocean near Chichi Jima. A small circular eye formed at the center of Hinnamnor’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 Hinnamnor. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Hinnamnor was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hinnamnor. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Hinnamnor was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 20.5.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move through an area favorable for intensification 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. Typhoon Hinnamnor is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Hinnamnor could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Hinnamnor will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends over Japan. The high pressure system will steer Hinnamnor toward the west during the 48 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Hinnamnor could approach the Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Hinnamnor will continue to produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain on Chichi Jima during the next few hours until it moves farther away. Typhoon Hinnamnor could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Songda Develops East of Okinawa

Tropical Storm Songda developed east of Okinawa on Thursday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Songda was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 136.6°E which put it about 600 miles (970 km) east of Okinawa. Songda was moving toward the north-northwest at 29 m.p.h. (45 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

An area of low pressure strengthened east of Okinawa on Thursday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Songda. Tropical Storm Songda was revolving around the northeastern part of a much larger low pressure system (sometimes called a monsoon gyre) centered northeast of the Philippines. The interaction of Songda’s circulation with the larger low pressure system was producing an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern half of Tropical Storm Songda. Bands in the southwestern half of Songda consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Songda generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Songda will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Songda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. The circulation around the larger low pressure system will produce upper level winds from the southeast that will blow toward the top of Songda’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also be blowing from the southeast and so there will be less vertical wind shear. The wind shear could still be strong enough to inhibit intensification. Songda could also move into a region where the air is drier. Tropical Storm Songda could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours, but wind shear and drier air are likely to limit intensification.

The large low pressure system northeast of the Philippines will steer Tropical Storm Songda toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Sondga could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands within 24 hours. Songda could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Ryukyu Islands.

Typhoon Chaba Hits Southern China

Typhoon Chaba hit southern China on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 111.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) east of Wuchuan, China. Chaba was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

The center of Typhoon Chaba made landfall on the south coast of China near Wuchuan and Dianbai in Guangdong on Saturday morning. Typhoon Chaba was strengthening when it made landfall. A small circular eye was as the center of Chaba’s circulation. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Chaba. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Chaba toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Chaba will move inland over southern China. Chaba will weaken gradually as it moves inland. Typhoon Chaba will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. There were reports a ship broke in two in heavy seas in the South China Sea.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the center Ryukyu Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 26.3°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit Drops Very Heavy Rain on Taiwan

Tropical Storm Lupit dropped very heavy rain on Taiwan on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 120.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Taipei, Taiwan. Lupit was moving toward the east at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Bands of rain on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lupit dropped very heavy rain over much of Taiwan on Friday. Radar estimates of the rainfall by Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau were as high as two feet (0.6 meters) in some locations. Southerly and southeasterly winds on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lupit were pushing air up the slopes of mountains on Taiwan. The enhanced rising motion was contributing to prolonged periods of very heavy rain. The very heavy rainfall was creating a very high danger of widespread flash floods.

Tropical Storm Lupit began to strengthen slowly after the center of circulation moved over the Taiwan Strait. The circulation around Lupit was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms and highest wind speeds were in bands on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lupit. Bands in the western half of Lupit consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Northerly winds circulating around the western side of the tropical storm were transporting drier air into the western half of Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles on the eastern side of Lupit. The in the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Lupit toward the east during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Lupit could be near Taipei in six hours. Lupit will continue to drop very heavy rain over Taiwan during the next 12 hours and the risk of flash floods will be very high. The high pressure system will steer Tropical Storm Lupit toward the northeast during the weekend. Lupit could also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to portions of the Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next several days. Lupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the northeastern part of an upper level ridge. The upper level winds are weaker in that part of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Lupit is likely to intensify during the weekend unless the center passes over northern Taiwan. If the center crosses northern Taiwan, then mountains will disrupt the low level circulation.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Mirinae was spinning south of Japan and Tropical Storm Nida was speeding away to the east of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 29.0°N and longitude 137.3°E which put it about 480 miles (775 km) south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Mirinae was moving toward the east-northeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 993 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Nide was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 156.6°E which put it about 775 miles (1250 km) east-southeast of Misawa, Japan. Nida was moving toward the east-northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 980 mb.

Tropical Storms Lupit, Mirinae and Nida Spin over Active West Pacific

Tropical Storms Lupit, Mirinae and Nida were spinning over an active Western North Pacific Ocean on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 23.8°N and longitude 117.3°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Yunxiao, China. Lupit was moving toward the northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 was dropping heavy rain along the coast of Fujian province. A band of heavy rain on the eastern periphery of Lupit was just west of Taiwan. Tropical Storm Lupit is forecast to move northeast along the east coast of China during the next 24 hours. Lupit is likely to weaken slowly while the center is near the coast. Tropical Storm Lupit could strengthen during the weekend if the center moves farther over the ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mirinae was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-northeast of Okinawa. Mirinae was moving toward the east-northeast 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 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Mirinae is forecast to move toward the northeast and to strengthen. Mirinae could be south of Japan by this weekend. Weather conditions in Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands should improve when Tropical Storm Mirinae moves farther away.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nida was located at latitude 33.9°N and longitude 148.2°E which put it about 490 miles (790 km) east-southeast of Tokyo. Nida was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 992 mb. Westerly winds in the middle latitudes are forecast to carry Tropical Storm Nida farther away from Japan during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Lupit Makes Landfall in Eastern China

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the coast of eastern China just to the south of Shantou on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 23.3°N and longitude 116.9°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south-southeast of Shantou, China. Lupit was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

Tropical Storm Lupit made landfall on the northeastern part of the coast of Guangdong province south of Shantou and east of Chaoyang. Lupit strengthened before landfall and the maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Lupit. The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Lupit’s circulation that were over water. Strong thunderstorms developed recently near the center of Tropical Storm Lupit. Those thunderstorms were producing gusty winds and they were dropping locally heavy rain.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lupit toward the northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lupit will move along the east coast of China. The center of Lupit could pass near Xiamen in about 24 hours. Tropical Storm Lupit will weaken while the center is over land. However, Lupit could strengthen again if the center moves over the East China Sea. Tropical Storm Lupit will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northeast coast of Guangdong province and the coastal part of Fujian province.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 14W was passing west of Okinawa and Tropical Storm 15W developed southeast of Japan. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 14W was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 126.5°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) west of Okinawa. The depression was moving toward the northwest 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 998 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm 15W was located at latitude 32.1°N and longitude 147.4°E which put it about 510 miles (825 km) southeast of Tokyo,, Japan. The tropical storm was moving toward the north at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Lupit Forms Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Lupit formed southeast of Hong Kong on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lupit was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 115.9°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Lupit was moving toward the east-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 994 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system southeast of Hong Kong exhibited more organization on Tuesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Lupit. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Lupit. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Lupit was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Lupit. Bands on the northern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Storm Lupit was under the southern part of an upper level ridge over eastern China. The ridge was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lupit’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. The upper level ridge over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification. The wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification and Tropical Storm Lupit could strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lupit will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Lupit toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lupit could be over the southern Taiwan Strait southeast of Shantou, China in 24 hours. Lupit could produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain over portions of the coast of Eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, a tropical depression formed east of Taiwan. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 24.0°N and longitude 125.9°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) southwest of Okinawa. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 998 mb. The depression is forecast to move toward the northeast and to strengthen. It could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to some of the Ryukyu Islands.