Tag Archives: Typhoon Lan

Typhoon Lan Makes Landfall in Honshu

Typhoon Lan made landfall in Honshu on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 33.7°N and longitude 135.9°E which put it about 15 miles (25 km) north of Shingu, Japan. Lan was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

The center of Typhoon Lan made landfall in Wakayama Prefecture near Shingu on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) was at the center of Lan’s circulation. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Lan.

There was still a large circulation around Typhoon Lan. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.9. Typhoon Lan was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will move across Honshu during the next 24 hours. The center of Lan’s circulation will pass near Osaka in a few hours. The center of circulation will also pass west of Kyoto before Lan moves over the Sea of Japan.

Although Typhoon Lan will weaken as it moves across Honshu, Lan will produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain over parts of Honshu. Lan will drop heavy rain over Wakayama, Nara, Osaka, Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Tottori, Okayama and Fukui Prefectures. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Wind and rain are also likely to cause loss of electricity in widespread areas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Dora continued to weaken east of Wake Island. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 168.3°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) east of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the north-northwest 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 1004 mb.

Typhoon Lan Approaches Honshu

Typhoon Lan was approaching Honshu on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 32.1°N and longitude 137.2°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of Shingu, Japan. Lan was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Typhoon Lan strengthened as it approached Honshu on Sunday. A large circular eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) was at the center of Lan’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the large core of Typhoon Lan. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

There was a large circulation around Typhoon Lan. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.8. Typhoon Lan was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Lan could continue to strengthen during the next 12 hours as it approaches Honshu.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Lan will make landfall in Wakayama Prefecture south of Osaka in about 18 hours. Lan will produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain over parts of Honshu. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Dora continue to weaken east of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 169.7°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) east of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1005 mb.

Typhoon Lan Continues to Move Toward Honshu

Typhoon Lan continued to move to Honshu on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 30.0°N and longitude 139.1°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) south of Tokyo, Japan. Lan was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Lan completed an eyewall replacement cyclone on Saturday. The smaller, inner eye and eyewall dissipated. A circular eye with a diameter of 70 miles (110 km) was at the center of Lan’s circulation on Saturday night. The large eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the large eye. Storms around the eye generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The area of typhoon force winds in Typhoon Lan increased during the eyewall replacement cycle. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.6.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Lan could strengthen during the next 24 hours, since the eyewall replacement cycle is complete.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu in less than 48 hours. The center of Lan could make landfall south of Osaka. Lan will be a typhoon when it reaches Honshu.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Hurricane Dora weakened to a tropical storm East of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 174.7°E which put it about 570 miles (920 km) east of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest 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 996 mb.

Typhoon Lan Moves Toward Honshu

Typhoon Lan moved toward Honshu on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 28.7°N and longitude 141.5°E which put it about 485 miles (785 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Lan was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Lan was weakening on Friday night. The inner of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall and a larger, outer eyewall formed. The formation of concentric eyewalls was disrupting the low level convergence into the inner eyewall and the inner eyewall was weakening. Since the strongest winds were occurring in the inner eyewall, the maximum wind speed decreased when the inner eyewall weakened. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls. Storms around the concentric eyewalls generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Typhoon Lan. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.9.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Typhoon Lan is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours even though it will be in a favorable environment. The maximum wind speed is likely to continue to decrease as the inner eyewall dissipates.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu in less than 72 hours. Lan is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches Honshu.

Typhoon Lan Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Lan rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 142.8°E which put it about 615 miles (995 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Lan was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 936 mb.

Typhoon Lan intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. A circular eye with a diameter of 28 miles (45 km) developed at the center of Lan’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Lan. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions. The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Lan increased when Lan intensified rapidly on Thursday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size (HWISI) was 39.1. Typhoon Lan was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Lan is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Typhoon Lan to weaken.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Chichi Jima during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Lan could approach Honshu in four days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Khanun produced gusty winds and locally heavy rain over South Korea. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Khanun was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 127.0°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) north-northeast of Seoul, South Korea. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun Hits South Korea

Tropical Storm Khanun hit South Korea on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 35.5°N and longitude 128.4°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) south-southeast of Chinhae, South Korea. Khanun was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun hit the southern coast of South Korea on Wednesday night. The center of Khanun made landfall near Busan and Chinhae. Tropical Storm Khanun brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern half of South Korea. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (285 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Khanun will be near Seoul in less than 12 hours. Khanun will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in South Korea on Thursday. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Lan intensified to a typhoon. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 143.7°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) east of Iwo To. Lan was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. Typhoon Lan is forecast to move toward Honshu and to strengthen.

Typhoon Lan Brings Wind and Rain to Japan

Typhoon Lan brought wind and rain to parts of Japan on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 35.2°N and longitude 139.1°E which put it about 50 miles southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Lan was moving toward the northeast at 37 m.p.h. (60 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (155 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Lan weakened significantly before it reached Japan.  Lan moved over cooler water south of Japan.  Strong upper level westerly winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The circulation of Lan pulled drier air into the western half of the circulation.  The combination of cooler water, strong shear and drier air caused the significant weakening.  In addition the shear was strong enough to push the heavier rain to the northeast of the center of Typhoon Lan.

Lan was still a typhoon when it made landfall in Honshu despite the unfavorable environment.  A weather station at the Tokyo International Airport reported a wind speed of 56 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  Some areas in eastern Honshu experienced periods of heavy rain and gusty winds.  The drier air will limit the rainfall after the center of the typhoon passes a given location.

The strong westerly winds will steer Typhoon Lan rapidly toward the northeast.  Lan will move east of Honshu in a few hours.  The strong vertical wind shear and cooler, drier air will cause Typhoon Lan to transition to a strong extratropical cyclone east of Japan.

While Typhoon Lan races across eastern Japan, Tropical Depression 27W organized southeast of Guam.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression 27W was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 147.4°E which put it about 360 miles (580 km) southeast of Guam.  It was moving toward west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gust to 45 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Depression 27W will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for development during the next several days.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge centered northeast of the Marianas is producing easterly winds which are blowing over the top of the depression.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear is inhibiting the organization of the circulation and it is slowing the development of the depression.  The shear is forecast to decrease during the next several days and the depression could strengthen into a tropical storm if a distinct low level center forms.

Tropical Depression 27W is near the southwestern end of the ridge to its northeast.  The ridge is currently steering the depression toward the west.  It is forecast to move around the end of the ridge and turn more toward the north during the next few days.  On its anticipated track the depression could be near Guam in about 24 hours.  It could be a tropical storm at that time.

Powerful Typhoon Lan Speeds Toward Japan

Powerful Typhoon Lan sped toward Japan on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 134.5°E, which put it about 575 miles (925 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Lan was moving toward the north-northeast at 27 m.p.h. (43 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (275 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 928 mb.

Lan is a large and powerful typhoon.  There is an eye at the center of circulation, but the eye has become less clear during the past few hours.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounds the eye and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Lan.  The outer bands in the western half of the circulation consist primarily of low clouds and showers.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 335 miles (540 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.5.

Typhoon Lan has reached its maximum intensity and it will weaken during the next several days.  Lan is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, but it will move over colder water when it moves farther north.  Westerly winds in the upper levels are starting to increase the vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Lan also appears to be drawing cooler and drier air into the western side of the circulation.  Cooler water, more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause steady weakening of Typhoon Lan.

Typhoon Lan is moving around the western end of a ridge which is steering the typhoon rapidly toward the north-northeast.  Westerly winds in the upper levels will carry Lan quickly toward Japan.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu and the area near Tokyo in 12 to 18 hours.  Lan will still be a strong typhoon when it gets to Japan.  Typhoon will bring strong winds and drop locally heavy rain over the area around Tokyo.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Typhoon Lan Intensifies Into Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Lan intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 130.3°E which put it about 450 miles (720 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Lan was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 942 mb.

Typhoon Lan has a large and powerful circulation.  There is a large circular eye at the center of circulation.  The eye has a diameter of 60 miles (96 km) and it is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  The strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of the circulation.  Typhoon Lan is generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping mass away to the northeast of the typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 330 miles (530 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 37.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 57.8.  Those indices indicate that Typhoon Lan is capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment that will be favorable for further intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  An upper level ridge centered east of Lan is producing southerly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  There are also southerly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere and thus there is not much vertical wind shear.  The southerly winds in the upper levels are actually enhancing the upper level divergence to the northeast of Typhoon Lan.  Warm water and little vertical wind shear will allow Typhoon Lan to strengthen during the next day or so.  When Lan moves farther north, it will reach the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  The vertical wind shear will increase at that time, and Typhoon Lan will start to weaken.

Typhoon Lan is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the north.  As Typhoon Lan moves farther toward the north, it will begin to move toward the north-northeast.  When Lan reaches the upper level westerlies on Sunday, it will turn more toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Lan will pass east of Okinawa and the Ryuku Islands on Saturday.  Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu in about 48 hours.

Typhoon Lan will still be a large powerful typhoon when it approaches Honshu.  Lan will be capable of producing strong gusty winds and very heavy rainfall.  Flash floods could occur when Typhoon Lan moves across Japan.

Typhoon Lan Heads North and Strengthens

Typhoon Lan headed northward and strengthened on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 130.0°E which put it about 550 miles (885 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Lan was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Lan strengthened into a large powerful typhoon on Thursday.  A big circular eye developed at the core of Typhoon Lan.  The eye was not perfectly clear.  There was a small area of convection at the center of the eye and there was a clear moat around that area.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the typhoon.  Lan is a very large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out up to 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out up to 305 miles (490 km) from the center

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 46.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 63.3.  The circulation of Typhoon Lan is almost as large as the circulation of Hurricane Sandy was when Sandy hit the U.S. in 2012.

Typhoon Lan will be moving through an environment favorable for further intensification.  Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through and area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Lan could intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next day or two.

Typhoon Lan is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the typhoon toward the north.  Lan is likely to continue to move toward the north on Friday.  The typhoon will be affected by westerly winds when it moves farther north.  Those winds will cause Typhoon Lan to move more toward the north-northeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Lan could pass southeast of Okinawa in 24 to 36 hours.  Lan could approach Honshu within three days.