Tag Archives: Tropical Storm In-Fa

Tropical Storm Nepartak Strengthens East of Tokyo

Tropical Storm Nepartak strengthened east of Tokyo on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was located at latitude 35.4°N and longitude 142.3°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east of Tokyo, Japan. Nepartak was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Nepartak exhibited a structure a little more like a tropical cyclone on Monday night. Nepartak was embedded in the center of an upper level low. The center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was under the center of the upper level low and the circulation assumed a more circular shape. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Nepartak. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western side of Nepartak.

Tropical Storm Nepartak will move through an environment capable of supporting a tropical storm during the next 18 hours. Nepartak will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. Since Tropical Storm Nepartak is embedded at the center of an upper level low, the winds are blowing from the same direction at all levels in the troposphere. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Nepartak will likely maintain its intensity during the next 18 hours and it could strengthen a little more.

The upper level low and Tropical Storm Nepartak are forecast to drift toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Nepartak could make landfall on the northern coast of Honshu near Sendai in about 18 hours. Tropical Storm Nepartak will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Honshu. Nepartak already generated waves along the coast of Honshu and some Olympic events at coastal sites were postponed.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm In-Fa continued to drop heavy rain over parts of eastern China. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 119.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Shanghai, China. In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 982 mb.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Makes Landfall near Shanghai

Tropical Storm In-Fa made landfall on the east coast of China near Shanghai on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 121.4°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south of Shanghai, China. In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 In-Fa weakened slowly as it approached the east coast of China. The circulation around In-Fa pulled drier air from Asia into the western side of the former typhoon. The drier air caused thunderstorms in the western half of Tropical Storm In-Fa to weaken. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the eastern side of In-Fa. Bands in the western half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (270 km) on the eastern side of In-Fa. The strongest winds were occurring over the waters of the East China Sea. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles on the western side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm In-Fa will move slowly toward the northwest, which will take it farther inland over eastern China. The circulation around In-Fa will weaken gradually as the tropical storm moves farther inland. Tropical Storm In-Fa will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai and Ningbo. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Nepartak swirled southwest of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was located at latitude 33.4°N and longitude 149.7°E which put it about 630 miles (1015 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Nepartak was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

Cempaka Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Cempaka strengthened to a typhoon southwest of Hong Kong on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Cempaka was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 112.4°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) southwest of Hong Kong. Cempaka was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 978 mb.

The small circulation around former Tropical Storm Cempaka strengthened quickly on Monday. A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Cempaka. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Cempaka. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Cempaka. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Cempaka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Cempaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will remain under an upper level ridge over the South China Sea. The winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Cempaka could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Cempaka will move south of a surface high pressure system over eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Cempaka slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cempaka could approach the south coast of China near Yangjiang in about 12 hours. Cempaka will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of Guangdong province. Since Cempaka will move very slowly some locations could receive extremely heavy rainfall and flash floods are likely in those places. Typhoon Cempaka could also produce of storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm In-Fa stalled southeast of Okinawa. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 130.9°E which put it about 265 miles (425 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to a typhoon. In-Fa could be south of Okinawa in 30 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in 72 hours and near northern Taiwan in less than four days.

Tropical Storm Cempaka Forms Southwest of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Cempaka formed southwest of Hong Kong on Sunday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Cempaka was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 113.0°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) southwest of Hong Kong. Cempaka was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 991 mb.

The circulation around a small low pressure system organized quickly on Sunday evening and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Cempaka. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Cempaka and an eye appeared to be forming in the middle of the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Cempaka. Storm near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles from the center of Cempaka.

Tropical Storm Cempaka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Cempaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C during the next 24 hours. It will move under an upper level ridge over the South China Sea. The winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Cempaka will intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Cempaka will move south of a surface high pressure system over eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Cempaka slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cempaka could approach the south coast of China near Yangjiang in about 24 hours. Cempaka could be a typhoon when it approaches the coast. It will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the coast of Guangdong province. Cempaka could also produce of storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm In-Fa strengthened southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 131.3°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 986 mb. Tropical Storm In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to a typhoon. In-Fa could be south of Okinawa in 36 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in three days and near northern Taiwan in four days.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Forms Southeast of Okinawa

Tropical Storm In-Fa formed southeast of Okinawa on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 132.3°E which put it about 420 miles (675 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 southeast of Okinawa exhibited more organization on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm In-Fa. The distribution of thunderstorms around In-Fa was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm In-Fa. Bands on the western side of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level low centered west of Japan was producing westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of In-Fa. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were also contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm In-Fa will move into an environment that is forecast to become more favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. In-Fa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C during the next two days. The upper level low west of Japan is forecast to move toward the north. When the upper low moves north, the upper level winds around In-Fa will weaken and the vertical wind shear will decrease. Tropical Storm In-Fa is likely to strengthen during the next 48 hours. When the upper level winds weaken, In-Fa could intensify more quickly. Tropical Storm In-Fa could strengthen to a typhoon within 72 hours.

Tropical Storm In-Fa will move south of a surface high pressure system centered southeast of Japan on Sunday. The high will steer In-Fa toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. A second surface high pressure system over eastern Asia is forecast to move north of Tropical Storm In-Fa on Monday. The second high pressure system will steer In-Fa more toward the west early next week. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm In-Fa could approach Okinawa in 60 hours. In-Fa could bring wind and rain to the southwestern Ryukyu Islands. In-Fa could eventually affect Taiwan and eastern China later next week.

In-Fa Weakens to a Tropical Storm on Its Way to Iwo To

In-Fa weakened below typhoon intensity on Tuesday as it moved toward Iwo To.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 135.3°E which put it about 540 miles (870 km) southwest of Iwo To.  In-Fa was moving toward the northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 994 mb.

A large upper level trough that extends south of Japan is producing strong southwesterly winds over the top of Tropical Storm In-Fa.  Those winds are causing strong vertical wind shear which is tilting the upper portion of the circulation of the tropical storm toward the northeast.  The stronger thunderstorms are all located northeast of the center of In-Fa.  It also appears drier air is wrapping around the southwestern part of the circulation.  The strong vertical wind shear will continue to weaken Tropical Storm In-Fa.  As it moves into a cooler environment In-Fa will gradually make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

The upper level trough will continue to steer Tropical Storm In-Fa toward the northeast while it makes the transition to an extratropical cyclone.  On its anticipated track In-Fa could bring tropical storm force winds to Iwo To in 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Near Fananu, Watch Issued for Guam

Tropical Storm In-Fa is near Fananu and it is bringing wind and rain to islands around Chuuk.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located near latitude 8.6°N and longitude 152.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Fananu and about 620 miles (1000 km) southeast of Guam.  In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Guam.  A Typhoon Warning is in effect for Chuuk lagoon, Losap, Ulul and Fananu.

In-Fa was briefly a typhoon earlier on Wednesday when it had a small, but well formed eye.  However, the core of In-Fa weakened slightly and the eye filled with clouds.  A small, but circular, area of thunderstorms has intensified in the core of the tropical storm during the past few hours.  There are signs that In-Fa may be strengthening again.  The environment surrounding Tropical Storm In-Fa is favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  The upper level winds are light and the vertical wind shear is modest.  In-Fa could regain typhoon intensity on Thursday and a period of rapid intensification may be possible once the inner core reorganizes.

A subtropical ridge north of In-Fa is steering the tropical storm toward the northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for another two or three days.  On its anticipated track the center of In-Fa will pass near Fananu during the next few hours.  In-Fa could be south of Guam in about 48 hours.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Intensifying, Typhoon Watch for Fananu

Tropical Storm In-Fa intensified quickly on Tuesday and it caused watches and warnings to be issued for the area around Chuuk.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 6.0°N and longitude 156.3°E which put it about 385 miles (620 km) east-southeast of Fananu and about 985 miles (1590 km) east-southeast of Guam.  In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest 18 m.p.h. (29 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 983 mb.  A Typhoon Watch has been issued for Fananu.

The circulation of Tropical Storm In-Fa organized rapidly on Tuesday.  A tight core formed in the center of circulation and an eyelike feature appeared on satellite images.  A small ring of thunderstorms formed around the eye and a large primary rainband wrapped around the circulation.  The circulation became more symmetrical and upper level outflow began to create divergence in most directions.

Tropical Storm In-Fa remains in an environment favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.   The upper level winds are light and the vertical wind shear is modest.  In-Fa is likely to continue to intensify and now that an inner core has developed, it could intensify rapidly.  In-Fa could become a typhoon on Wednesday and it could become the equivalent of a major hurricane later this week.

A subtropical ridge north of In-Fa is steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue for the rest of the week.  On its anticipated track In-Fa will approach Fananu in about 24 hours and it could be a typhoon at that time.  In-Fa could be approaching Guam in about three days as a typhoon.