Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Halong

Nakri Strengthens to a Typhoon and Moves Toward Vietnam

Former Tropical Storm Nakri strengthened into a typhoon and started to move toward Vietnam on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Typhoon Nakri was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 114.9°E which put it about 395 miles (635 km) east of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.  Nakri was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 977 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Typhoon Nakri was asymmetrical.  A broken ring of showers and thunderstorms surrounded the center of Nakri.  The strongest thunderstorms were in the southern portion of the ring.  Most of the strongest rainbands were in the southern half of the typhoon, although there was one strong rainband along the northern periphery of the circulation.  Many of the other bands on the eastern and northern sides of Typhoon Nakri consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  It appeared that sinking, drier air was limiting the development of thunderstorms in the northern half of the circulation.

In spite of the effects of the drier air, the size of the circulation around Typhoon Nakri increased on Friday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center.

Typhoon Nakri will be moving through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Nakri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move around the southern side of an upper level ridge over southeast Asia and the South China Sea.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Drier air to the north of Typhoon Nakri will also inhibit intensification.  Nakri is likely to maintain its intensity during the next day or so, but it could start to weaken if the wind shear increases or more drier air sinks over the circulation.

The ridge over southeast Asia and the South China Sea will steer Typhoon Nakri toward the west during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Nakri could approach the coast of Vietnam in about 48 hours.  Typhoon Nakri could bring gusty winds and a storm surge for the central coast of Vietnam.  Nakri could drop locally heavy rainfall when it moves inland and flash floods could occur in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Halong was speeding away from Miami Tori Shima, Japan.  At 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 30.9°N and longitude 161.1°E which put it about 580 miles (935 km) northeast of Minami Tori Shima, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 983 mb.

Tropical Storm Halong Develops East of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Halong developed east of the Marianas on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 156.7°E which put it about 820 miles (1325 km) east of Guam.  Halong was moving toward the northwest 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 1000 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation formed in an area of thunderstorms east of the Marianas on Saturday.  When more thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation, the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Halong.  The circulation around Halong appeared to be organizing quickly.  New thunderstorms were forming close to the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also organizing quickly and the bands were starting to revolve around the center of Tropical Storm Halong.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm in all directions.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Halong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next two to three days.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The winds will be blowing from the south at all levels and so there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Halong will continue to intensify and it could strengthen rapidly.  Halong is likely to strengthen into a typhoon within 36 hours.

The ridge over the Western North Pacific will steer Tropical Storm Halong toward the northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Halong will be northeast of the Marianas by the end of the weekend.