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Typhoon Dolphin Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

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Typhoon Dolphin rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Wake Island.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 170.3°E which put the center about 490 miles (790 km) southeast of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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. (2350 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Tuesday morning.  A very small circular eye was present at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Dolphin was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will pass south of Wake Island on Wednesday.

Dolphin Rapidly Intensifies to a Typhoon

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Former Tropical Storm Dolphin rapidly intensified to a typhoon on Monday night as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Wake Island.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 171.2°E which put the center about 535 miles (860 km) southeast of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Dolphin rapidly intensified to a typhoon on Monday night.  A very small circular eye formed at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Dolphin was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane later today.  Dolphin is likely to intensify to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale by Thursday.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will pass be south of Wake Island on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Dolphin Forms West of the Date Line

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Tropical Storm Dolphin formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the International Date Line on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 174.6°E which put the center about 690 miles (1115 km) east-southeast of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 998 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Wake Island strengthened early on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolphin.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolphin was strengthening on Monday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were blowing on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Dolphin’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Dolphin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin will be south of Wake Island in 48 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi Brings Wind and Rain to Vietnam

Typhoon Bualoi brought wind and rain to northern Vietnam on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 106.5°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Ky Anh, Vietnam.  Bualoi was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 977 mb.

The center of Typhoon Bualoi made landfall on the coast of Vietnam southeast of Ky Anh on Sunday.  An eye formed that the center of Bualoi’s circulation just before it made landfall.  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 center of Typhoon Bualoi.

The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Typhoon Bualoi that were still over the South China Sea.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Bualoi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) from the center of Typhoon Bualoi.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bualoi will move inland over northern Vietnam.  Bualoi will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland.

Typhoon Bualoi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Bualoi could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.  Bualoi could also drop heavy rain over parts of northern Laos on Monday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri  was racing toward the northeast.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 168.6°E which put the center about 1320 miles (2120 km) north of Wake Island.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 35 m.p.h. (55 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 Bualoi Approaches Northern Vietnam

Typhoon Bualoi was approaching the coast of northern Vietnam on Saturday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 108.8°E which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) east-northeast of Da Nang Vietnam.  Bualoi was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 982 mb.

Typhoon Bualoi was maintaining its intensity as it approached the coast of northern Vietnam on Saturday evening.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Bualoi’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Bualoi.  Storms near the center of Bualoi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the typhoon.   The removal of mass in the upper levels were balanced by the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  The balance of outflow and inflow caused the surface pressure to remain nearly constant.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Typhoon Bualoi.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Bualoi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Bualoi.

Typhoon Bualoi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Bualoi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bualoi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the moderate shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Bualoi could intensify before it reaches the coast of northern Vietnam.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Bualoi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Bualoi will make landfall on the coast of northern Vietnam in a few hours.  The center of Bualoi Is likely to make landfall between Hue and Vinh.

Typhoon Bualoi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Bualoi could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri intensified far to the west of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 35.2°N and longitude 163.6°E which put the center about 1065 miles (1720 km) north-northwest of Wake, Island.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

Tropical Storm Lan Moves over the Sea of Japan

Tropical Storm Lan moved over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lan was located at latitude 38.7°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 220 miles (355 km) west-southwest of Akita, Japan. Lan was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Lan moved over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday after it crossed Honshu near Osaka. Lan weakened to a tropical storm as it crossed over Honshu. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Lan was asymmetrical on Tuesday night. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Lan’s circulation. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the northern half of Lan generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Lan.

Tropical Storm Lan will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is northwest of Japan. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lan’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate wind shear will prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Lan. Lan will begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone in a day or so when it moves over colder water.

The upper level trough that is northwest of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Lan toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, The center of Tropical Storm Lan will pass west of Hokkaido in 24 hours. Lan could approach Sakhalin Island in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Dora weakened to a tropical depression north-northeast of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Dora was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 380 miles (610 km) north-northeast of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1008 mb.

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.

Hurricane Dora Moves Across the International Date Line

Hurricane Dora moved across the International Date Line on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 179.4°E which put it about 860 miles (1390 km) south of Midway Island. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 972 mb.

Hurricane Dora was weakening as it moved across the International Date Line on Friday night. Dora was moving under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Central Pacific Ocean. The ridge was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Dora’s circulation. Those winds were causing the vertical wind shear to increase and the wind shear was causing Hurricane Dora to weaken.

There still was a small eye at the center of Hurricane Dora. 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 Dora’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Dora. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.8.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level ridge will continue to cause moderate to strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear will cause Hurricane Dora to weaken during the next 24 hours. Dora could weaken quickly even though it is over warm water, because it is such a small hurricane.

Hurricane Dora will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Dora could be east of Wake Island in 48 hours.