Tag Archives: Typhoon Jongdari

Typhoon Jongdari Turns Toward Honshu

Typhoon Jongdari turned toward Honshu on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Jongdari was located at latitude 31.0°N and longitude 143.7°E which put it about 415 miles (665 km) southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Jongdari was moving toward the north at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

An upper level low west of Typhoon Jongdari was affecting the circulation.  Winds blowing around the eastern side of the upper low were cutting under the upper level divergence at the top of the circulation of Jongdari.  In addition, drier flowing around the southern half of the upper low was being pulled into the western side of the circulation of Typhoon Jongdari.  The effects of the upper low were causing the circulation of Typhoon Jongdari to become asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms and stronger winds were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  With fewer strong thunderstorms in the western part of the typhoon with downdrafts to bring stronger winds to the surface the wind field was also becoming asymmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation on the eastern side of Jongdari, but they only extended out about 50 miles (80 km) on the western side.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 230 miles (370 km) to the east of the center, but only extended out about 170 miles (280 km) to the west of the center of circulation.

The upper level low will continue to affect Typhoon Jongdari.  Jongdari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there will be sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support a strong typhoon.  However, the upper low will inhibit upper level divergence to the west of the circulation.  Upper level divergence will be strong to the southeast of Typhoon Jongdari.  Drier air flowing around the upper low will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in bands in the southwestern part of the circulation.  Typhoon Jongdari is likely to weaken slowly, although it could maintain its intensity at times as it moves around the northern side of the upper low.

The upper low will also steer Typhoon Jongdari during the weekend.  Jongdari will turn more toward the west-northwest when it moves around the northern part of the upper low.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Jongdari could pass south of Tokyo in about 18 hours.  The center of Jongdari could be very close to Hamamatsu in about 24 hours.  It could make landfall near Matsuzaka in a little over a day.  Typhoon Jongdari could pass very close to Osaka and Kobe and it could pass just south of Kyoto.  Heavy rain fell on parts of Japan earlier this month and Typhoon Jongdari could cause serious flooding in some locations.

Typhoon Jongdari Nears Iwo To

Typhoon Jongdari neared Iwo To on Thursday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Jongdari was located at latitude 24.2°N and longitude 140.5°E which put it about 105 miles (170 km) southwest of Iwo To.  Jongdari was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 975 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Jongdari strengthened as it neared Iwo To on Thursday.  An eye developed at the center of circulation and the Japan Meteorological Agency classified Jongdari as a typhoon.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Jongdari.  Thunderstorms in the core of Jongdari were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 130 miles (210 km) from the center.

Typhoon Jongdari will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Jongdari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level low southeast of Honshu will cause easterly winds which will blow over the northern part of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will be less over the core of the typhoon.  Typhoon Jongdari will strengthen during the next 24 to 48 hours and it could become the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Jongdari is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific and the ridge is steering Jongdari toward the northeast.  A general motion toward the northeast is forecast for the next 12 to 24 hours.  The upper low southeast of Honshu will move slowly toward the west.  When Jongdari moves farther north, it will begin to be steered more by the upper level low.  Typhoon Jongdari is forecast to turn more toward the north on Friday.  Jongdari will start to move toward the northwest in about 36 hours, when it moves northeast of the upper level low.

On its anticipated track Typhoon Jongdari will move over Iwo To in a few hours.  It will bring gusty winds and heavy rain.  Typhoon Jongdari could approach Honshu in about 48 hours and it could cause flooding in addition to strong winds and heavy rain.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific, Tropical Storm Wokung was weakening east of northern Japan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Wokung was located at latitude 42.2°N and longitude 152.5°E which put it about 600 miles (960 km) east of Misawa, Japan.  Wokung was moving toward the north-northwest at 19 m.p.h. (31 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 995 mb.