Tag Archives: Typhoon Malakas

Typhoon Malakas Brings Winds and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Malakas brought strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 140.4°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Two To. Malakas was moving toward the north-northeast at 24 m.p.h (39 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Typhoon Malakas weakened as it approached Iwo To, but Malakas still brought strong winds and heavy rain to the island. An upper level trough near Japan was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Malakas’ circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the shear was affecting the distribution of thunderstorms. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Typhoon Malakas. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

There continued to be a large circulation around Typhoon Malakas. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Malakas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malakas was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.9.

Typhoon Malakas will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Malakas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23˚C. The upper level trough near Japan will continue to produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the typhoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. Typhoon Malakas will continue to weaken during the next 36 hours. The combination of colder water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Malakas to make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough near Japan will steer Typhoon Malakas quickly toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Malakas will cross the Ogasawara Islands during the next 24 hours. Malakas will bring strong winds and heavy rain the Ogasawara Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Weather conditions should improve on Iwo To on Friday when Malakas moves away from the island.

Typhoon Malakas Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Typhoon Malakas intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 137.5°E which put it about 475 miles (770 km) south-southwest of Two To. Malakas was moving toward the north-northeast at 13 m.p.h (20 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 939 mb.

Typhoon Malakas strengthened to the equivalent of a Cat. 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southwest of Iwo To on Wednesday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Malakas’ circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core to Typhoon Malakas. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Malakas was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Malakas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 260 miles (415 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malakas was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 24.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 49.1.

Typhoon Malakas will move into an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Malakas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. An upper level trough west of Japan will move toward Malakas. When the upper level trough gets closer to Typhoon Malakas, it will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the typhoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. When the shear increases, Typhoon Malakas will start to weaken.

The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Typhoon Malakas toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Malakas could approach Iwo To in 30 hours. Typhoon Malakas will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To and the Ogasawara Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Malakas Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Malakas strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 136.6°E which put it about 605 miles (980 km) southwest of Two To. Malakas was moving toward the northeast at 9 m.p.h (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Typhoon Malakas strengthened quickly to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Malakas’ circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core to Typhoon Malakas. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Malakas increased on Tuesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Malakas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 240 miles (390 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malakas was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.7.

Typhoon Malakas will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Malakas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Malakas’ circulation. The winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the south and there will not be much vertical wind shear. Typhoon Malakas could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours. An upper level trough west of Japan will move toward Malakas on Wednesday. When the upper level trough gets closer to Malakas, it will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the typhoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. When the shear increases later on Wednesday Typhoon Malakas could start to weaken.

The upper level trough west of Japan will start to steer Typhoon Malakas toward the northeast at a faster speed later on Wednesday. On its anticipated track Malakas could approach Iwo To in 36 hours. Typhoon Malakas will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Iwo To and the Ogasawara Islands.

Typhoon Malakas Intensifies Southwest of Iwo To

Typhoon Malakas intensified southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 135.2°E which put it about 740 miles (1195 km) southwest of Two To. Malakas was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h (8 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 967 mb.

Typhoon Malakas intensified more quickly over the Western North Pacific Ocean southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday morning. A circular eye developed at the center of Malakas’ circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Malakas. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Malakas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Malakas will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Malakas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Malakas’ circulation. The winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the south and there will not be much vertical wind shear. Typhoon Malakas will intensify during the next 24 hours. Malakas could undergo a period of rapid intensification since an inner core with an eye and an eyewall has developed. Typhoon Malakas could strengthen to a the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Malakas 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 Malakas toward the north during that time period. Typhoon Malakas will move toward the northeast after it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Malakas could approach Iwo To in 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Megi weakened just east of the Philippines. There were reports of mudslides and casualties caused by heavy rain dropped by Megi. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Megi was located at latitude 11.0°N and longitude 126.0°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) east of Guiuan, Philippines. Megi was moving toward the east 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 1004 mb.

Malakas Intensifies to a Typhoon North of Yap

Former Tropical Storm Malakas intensified to a typhoon north of Yap on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 135.6°E which put it about 365 miles (585 km) north-northwest of Yap. Malakas was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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 976 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Malakas intensified to a typhoon on Monday over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western, southern and eastern sides of the center of Malakas. An eyewall appeared to be forming, but the rainband had not yet wrapped completely around the northern side of the center of circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Malakas. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Malakas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Malakas will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Malakas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Malakas’ circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be large enough to prevent strengthening. Typhoon Malakas will intensify during the next 36 hours. Malakas could intensify more rapidly after an inner core with an eye and an eyewall develops. Typhoon Malakas could strengthen to a the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Malakas will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Malakas toward the north during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Malakas will remain west of the Marianas during the next several days. Malakas will move toward the northeast after it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. Typhoon Malakas could approach Iwo To in three days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Megi dropped heavy rain over the central Philippines. There were reports of mudslides and casualties caused by the heavy rain. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Megi was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) south-southeast of Placer, Philippines. Megi was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h (8 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 1004 mb.

Typhoon Malakas Bringing Gusty Winds and Rain to Shikoku and Honshu

Typhoon Malakas is bringing wind and rain to coastal areas of Shikoku and Honshu.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located near latitude 33.4°N and longitude 134.7°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Osaka, Japan.  Malakas was moving toward the northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 979 mb.

The structure of Typhoon Malakas is starting the transition from a tropical cyclone to an extratropical cyclone.  It retains an eye, but the thunderstorms in the southern part of the eyewall are thinning.  Most of the other thunderstorms are in rainbands north of the center of circulation.  Cooler, drier air is wrapping around the southern side of the circulation.  The strongest winds are occurring over the water near the center of circulation.  Heavy rain is falling over eastern Shikoku and southwestern Honshu near Osaka and Nagoya.

Although Typhoon Malakas is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, it will continue to weaken as it makes the transition to an extratropical cyclone.  An upper level trough west of Japan is producing southwesterly winds which are blowing across the top of the circulation.  Also, almost half of the circulation is moving over land and the center will move over coastal sections of Honshu.  Increasing vertical wind shear and the added friction caused by the land will weaken Malakas to a tropical storm on Tuesday.

The upper level trough is steering Typhoon Malakas quickly toward the northeast and that general motion is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Malakas will pass south of Osaka and Nagoya.  The center of then Tropical Storm Malakas will move near Tokyo in about 18 hours.  Malakas will continue to bring gusty winds to coastal parts of Honshu.

Powerful Typhoon Malakas Nearing Kyushu

Powerful Typhoon Malakas moved steadily closer to Kyushu on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Malakas was centered at latitude 29.7°N and longitude 127.9°E which put it about 210 miles (340 km) southwest of Kagoshima, Japan.  Malakas was moving toward the east-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Malakas remains well organized and it is taking on the typical structure of a strong tropical cyclone that is starting to recurve.  The size of the eye increased during the past 24 hours.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms which is thinner south of the eye.  There are several strong rainbands, but they are primarily in the northern half of the circulation.  The circulation is beginning to pull drier air around the southern side of Malakas which is why the rainbands in that part of the typhoon are weaker.  Thunderstorms in the core of Typhoon Malakas are generating upper level divergence that is pumping out mass toward the northeast.

Typhoon Malakas is moving through an environment that should allow it to maintain its intensity during the next few hours.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level trough to the west of Japan is generating southwesterly winds which are blowing across the top of the circulation.  However, the vertical wind shear is moderate enough to allow Typhoon Malakas to maintain its intensity in the short term.  When Malakas moves farther to the northeast, it will move into a region where where upper level winds are stronger and the vertical wind shear will increase.  More vertical wind shear and the interaction of the circulation with Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu will cause Malakas to weaken.

The upper level trough will continue to steer Typhoon Malakas toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Malakas will be near southwest Kyushu in about 12 hours.  It will be near Shikoku in 20 hours and is could be near Honshu in 30 hours.

Typhoon Malakas will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Kyushu.  It is likely to still be a typhoon when it passes near the coast of Shikoku.  Malakas could be a tropical storm when it passes south of Kyoto and when it moves near Tokyo in a couple of days.  Malakas could bring wind and heavy rain to the coastal portions of Honshu later this week.

Strong Typhoon Malakas Turns North Toward Southernmost Ryukyu Islands

Strong Typhoon Malakas made the expected turn toward the north on Friday and it began to move parallel to the east coast of Taiwan toward the southwesternmost Ryukyu Islands.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 23.4°N and longitude 123.0°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Ishigaki, Japan.  Malakas was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 937 mb.

Malakas is a strong well organized typhoon.  It has a well formed eye at the center of circulation surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  Additional bands of thunderstorms are rotating around the core of Malakas and there are more thunderstorms in the southern half of the circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 35 miles (55 km) in all directions from the center of circulation.  The upper level divergence is strongest to the south of Typhoon Malakas.

Typhoon Malakas is in a very favorable environment.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 29°C.  The upper level winds are not too strong and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Malakas could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.  When Typhoon Malakas moves farther north, it will move over cooler SSTs.  In addition there is an upper level trough over eastern China which will cause southwesterly winds and increasing vertical wind shear when Malakas gets farther north.

Typhoon Malakas is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge and it is likely to continue to move north for another 24 hours or so.  In about a day, the upper level trough over eastern China will start to turn Malakas toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Malakas could approach southwestern Kyushu in about three days.

The center of Typhoon Malakas is passing east of Taiwan.  Some of the rainbands in the western part of the circulation will move over Taiwan, but the core of the typhoon where the strongest wind is occurring will stay east of there.  The center of Malakas will pass west of Ishigaki and Okinawa, but it could move over some of the smaller islands at the very southwestern end of the Ryukyu Islands.  Malakas could cause significant damage on those islands.

Typhoon Malakas Moves Toward Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Malakas moved toward Taiwan and the southernmost Ryukyu Islands on Thursday.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 124.7°W which put it about 285 miles (460 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan.  Malakas was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 956 mb.

The structure of Typhoon Malakas is well organized.  A small eye has been evident intermittently on satellite imagery.  More of the thunderstorms are forming south of the center of circulation, although there are spiral bands of thunderstorms in all quadrants of the circulation.  The thunderstorms in the core of Typhoon Malakas are generating upper level divergence which is pumping out mass in all directions.  The circulation of Typhoon Malakas has been in a rough equilibrium during the past 24 hours and the intensity has remained relatively steady.

Typhoon Malakas is moving through an environment that is favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  Although there is an upper level trough over China and an upper level low to the northeast of Malakas, the upper level winds around the typhoon are relatively light.  There is not much vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Malakas could strengthen further during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Malakas is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge.  Malakas turned more toward the northwest on Thursday.  It is expected to move more toward the north on Friday as is reaches the western end of the ridge.  When Malakas moves farther north, the upper level trough over China will steer the typhoon quickly toward the northeast toward the southern end of Kyushu.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Malakas will be near northeastern Taiwan and the southernmost Ryukyu Islands in about 24 hours.

Typhoon Malakas is smaller than Typhoon Meranti was, but Typhoon Malakas is capable of causing significant wind damage.  It will also bring heavy rain.  Since areas on Taiwan received heavy rain when Typhoon Meranti moved past them, it will take less additional rain to create the potential for flash flooding.