Tag Archives: Zhanjiang

Typhoon Matmo Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Typhoon Matmo brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 110.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west of Zhanjiang, China.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (25 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 966 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of southern China on Sunday morning.  The center of Matmo made landfall near Zhanjiang.

Typhoon Matmo was a large typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Matmo was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size index (HWISI) was 41.0.  Typhoon Matmo was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will move inland near the coast of southern China.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast.  Typhoon Matmo will drop heavy rain on parts of northern Vietnam early next week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened to Tropical Storm Halong east of Iwo To.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 142.0°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east of Iwo To.   Halong was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Wipha Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Tropical Storm Wipha brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Wipha was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 111.2°E which put the center about 70 miles (110 km) east-northeast of Zhanjiang, China.  Wipha was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Former Typhoon Wipha weakened to a tropical storm after it made landfall on the coast of southern China west of Hong Kong.  Tropical Storm Wipha was bringing strong winds and heavy rain to parts of southern China on Sunday.

A weather station at Hong Kong airport (VHHH) reported a sustained wind speed of 46 knots (53 m.p.h. or 85 km/h) as the center of then Typhoon Wipha passed south of the station.  The same weather station also reported a wind gust of 65 knots (75 m.p.h. or 120 km/h).

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wipha remains well organized even though the center of Wipha’s circulation has been overland for a few hours.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounds the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.  The strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms are occurring in bands in the western side of Wipha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Wipha consist primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Wipha are occurring in the part of Wipha’s circulation that is over the northern South China Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Wipha.

Tropical Storm Wipha will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Wipha toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Wipha will move along the coast of southern China during the next 12 hours.  The center of Wipha’s circulation could move over the northern Gulf of Tonkin on Monday.

Tropical Storm Wipha will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Storm Wipha will also produce strong winds and heavy rain in southern Guangxi and in Hainan.  Tropical Storm Wipha could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Vietnam early next week.

Tropical Storm Wipha will weaken slowly as long as the center of circulation remains over land.  If the center of Wipha’s circulation  moves over the Gulf of Tonkin on Monday, then Wipha would move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Tropical Storm Wipha would move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It would move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wipha’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Wipha could intensify a little  on Monday if the center of Wipha’s circulation moves over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Typhoon Talim Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Typhoon Talim brought wind and rain to southern China on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Talim was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 110.5°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) east of Zhanjiang, China. Talim was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 973 mb.

The center of Typhoon Talim made landfall on the south coast of China near Zhanjiang on Monday. The size of the circulation around Typhoon Talim increased as it approached the coast. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Talim’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of circulation.

The eye of Typhoon Talim was on the coast of southern China near Zhanjiang. 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 dropping heavy rain over parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Winds blowing around the northern side of Typhoon Talim were pushing water toward the coast and the winds were generating a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters).

Typhoon Talim will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Talim toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Talim will move inland over southern China. Typhoon Talim will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southern China during the next 36 hours. Talim will produce strong winds and heavy rain in southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Talim will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam when it moves farther west.

Talim Strengthens to a Typhoon South of Hong Kong

Former Tropical Storm Talim strengthened to a typhoon south of Hong Kong on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Talim was located at latitude 19.8°N and longitude 113.7°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) south of Hong Kong. Talim was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 Talim strengthened steadily during the weekend and Talim reached typhoon intensity on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Talim’s circulation. An eye was evident on conventional and microwave satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Talim. 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) in the northern side of Talim’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Talim.

Typhoon Talim will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Talim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that extends from the Western North Pacific Ocean to China. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Talim’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Talim will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Talim will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Talim toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Talim will make landfall on the coast of south China near Zhanjiang and Leizhou in 24 hours. Typhoon Talim will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southern China. Talim will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Talim could cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of southern China. Talim will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Vietnam early next week.

Tropical Storm Ma-on Makes Landfall in Southeast China

Tropical Storm Ma-on made landfall in southeast China on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 109.2°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east of Qinzhou. Ma-on was moving toward the west-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Ma-on made landfall on the coast of southeastern China between Dianbai and Zhanjiang on Thursday morning. The center of Ma-on made landfall near Wuchuan. Ma-on was a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall. The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The distribution of thunderstorms and heavy rain in Tropical Storm Ma-on was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms with heavy rain were occurring in the southern half of Ma-on’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring over the South China Sea. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Ma-on.

Tropical Storm Ma-on will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Ma-on toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ma-on will move inland over southeastern China and northern Vietnam. Ma-on will drop locally heavy rain over parts of southeastern China and northern Vietnam. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Tokage was weakening as it sped away from Japan. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Tokage was located at latitude 41.3°N and longitude 153.9°E which put it about 610 miles (985 km) east of Misawa, Japan. Tokage was moving toward the northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 987 mb.

Tropical Storm Mulan Forms South of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Mulan formed over the South China Sea south of Hing Kong on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Mulan was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 112.8°E which put it about 280 miles (450 km) south of Hong Kong. Mulan 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 996 mb.

A small low pressure system on the eastern side of a much larger low pressure system over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong strengthened on Tuesday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Mulan. The circulation around Tropical Storm Mulan was embedded in a larger low pressure system over the South China Sea which had a diameter of 700 miles (1130 km). The distribution of thunderstorms around Mulan was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the eastern half of Mulan’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Mulan’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Mulan will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mulan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the eastern side of a broad upper level low over the South China Sea. The upper low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Mulan’s circulation. The winds at lower levels in the atmosphere will also blow from the south. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Even though the water will be warm and there will be little vertical wind shear, the fact that Tropical Storm Mulan is a smaller low pressure system embedded in a much larger low pressure system is likely to inhibit intensification.

Tropical Storm Mulan will move around the northeastern part of the larger low pressure system over the South China Sea during the next 24 hours. The larger low pressure system will steer Mulan toward the northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Mulan could approach the south coast of China near Zhanjiang within 24 hours. Mulan will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern China. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Chaba Strengthens South of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Chaba was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 113.7°E which put it about 275 miles (445 km) south of Hong Kong, China. Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened south of Hong Kong on Thursday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around most of the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the part of the rainband wrapped around the center. Bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the southern half of Chaba’s circulation. Bands in the northern half of Chaba contained more showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the 24 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the northern part of the South China Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Chaba will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Chaba could be near the northeastern part of Hainan Island in 18 hours. Chaba could approach the coast of southern China near Zhanjiang in 24 hours. Chaba could be a typhoon when it approaches southern China. It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere formed south-southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 130.8°E which put it about 470 miles (760 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb. Tropical Storm Aere is forecast to move toward the north-northwest and to strengthen gradually. Aere could be near Okinawa in 36 hours.