Tag Archives: Tropical Depression Dujuan

Dujuan Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Dujuan weakened to a tropical depression on Saturday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Dujuan was located at latitude 8.4°N and longitude 129.6°E which put it about 210 miles (335 km) east of Hinatuan, Philippines. Dujuan was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1003 mb.

Strong easterly winds in the upper troposphere blew the top off of former Tropical Storm Dujuan on Friday night. The circulation in the lower levels gradually weakened and Dujuan was classified as a tropical depression on Saturday. The low level circulation consisted almost entirely of showers and lower clouds during much of Saturday. A few thunderstorms developed northeast of the center of Tropical Depression Dujuan on Saturday night, but it was not clear that the thunderstorms would persist.

Tropical Depression Dujuan will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Dujuan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification. However, Tropical Depression Dujuan will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will continue to produce strong easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Dujuan. In addition, a surface high pressure system over eastern Asia will produce strong northeasterly winds in the lower levels. Those winds will transport drier air over the Philippines. The combination of vertical wind shear and drier air will likely prevent intensification of Tropical Depression Dujuan.

Tropical Depression Dujuan will move south of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Dujuan toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Dujuan could approach northern Mindano, southern Samar and Cebu in 18 hours. Dujuan will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the central Philippines.