Chaba Strengthens to a Typhoon Northeast of Hainan

Former Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened to a typhoon northeast of Hainan Island on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 111.8°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Wuchuan, China. Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Chaba strengthened to a typhoon over the warm water in the northern South China Sea on Friday afternoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Chaba’s circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in a ring around the center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Chaba. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Chaba. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Chaba will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 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. Typhoon Chaba could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon 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 Typhoon Chaba could make landfall on the coast of southern China near Wuchuan in 12 hours. Chaba will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Aere intensified gradually southeast of Okinawa. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Aere was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 130.4°E which put it about 305 miles (495 km) southeast of Okinawa. Aere was moving toward the north-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb. Tropical Storm Aere is forecast to move toward the north-northwest and to continue to strengthen gradually. Aere could be near Okinawa in 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Bonnie Forms over Southwest Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Bonnie formed over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie was located at latitude 11.2°N and longitude 81.9°W which put it about 195 miles (315 km) east-southeast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Bonnie was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1005 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for San Andres Island, Colombia. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the Caribbean coast from Limon, Costa Rica to Sandy Bay Sirpi, Nicaragua. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the Pacific coast from Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica to the border between Nicaragua and Honduras.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance aircraft found westerly winds in the southwestern part of former Potential Tropical Cyclone Two on Friday morning. Based on data from the reconnaissance plane, the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Bonnie. More thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie. Storms near the center of Bonnie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the northern side of Bonnie’s circulation. Winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Bonnie were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Bonnie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will be under an upper level ridge over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Bonnie will strengthen during the next 12 hours. Bonnie will weaken when it moves over Nicaragua and Costa Rica, but it could strengthen again over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will move south of the western part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The high pressure system will steer Bonnie toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bonnie will hit southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica on Friday night. Bonnie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica. Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides 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.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Two Moves Toward Nicaragua

Potential Tropical Cyclone Two moved over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea toward Nicaragua on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was located at latitude 11.8°N and longitude 77.7°W which put it about 410 miles (665 km) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 1005 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Laguna de Perlas, Nicaragua to the border with Costa Rica. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for San Andres Island, Colombia. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Limon, Costa Rica to Sandy Bay Sirpi, Nicaragua. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Pacific Coast from Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica to Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Two exhibited more organization on Thursday night. More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation. A reconnaissance aircraft found that the surface pressure had decreased slightly. However, there were still parts of the circulation that consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) on the northern side of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Two will move through an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two will move under an upper level ridge over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two could develop into a tropical storm on Friday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Two will move south of the western part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The high pressure system will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Two toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Potential Tropical Cyclone Two will begin to affect southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica on Friday evening. It could be a tropical storm when it approaches the coast. It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Chaba Forms over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Chaba formed over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Chaba was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 115.1°E which put it about 440 miles (710 km) south of Hong Kong, China. Chaba was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the South China Sea south of Hong Kong strengthened on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Chaba. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Chaba was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Chaba’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

An upper level ridge over southern China was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Chaba. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the 36 hours. Chaba will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. However, the upper level ridge over southern China will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent some intensification of Chaba. Tropical Storm Chaba is likely to intensify gradually during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Chaba will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high will steer Chaba toward the north-northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Chaba could approach Hainan Island and the coast of southern China in 36 hours.

Tropical Wave Brings Gusty Winds and Rain to Southern Windward Islands

A tropical wave, currently designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Windward Islands on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 62.0°W which put it about 105 miles (165 km) west-northwest of Trinidad. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was moving toward the west-northwest at 26 m.p.h. (43 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 1011 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the coast of Venezuela from Peninsula de Paraguana to the border with Colombia. A Tropical Storm Warning was also issued for the coast of Colombia from Santa Marta to the border with Venezuela. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Grenada. Tropical Storm Warnings were also in effect for Islas de Margarita, Coche and Cubagua. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Perdanales to Cumana, Venezuela.

A tropical wave speeding into the southeastern Caribbean Sea brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Windward Islands on Tuesday night. Aircraft reconnaissance and surface observations indicated that the wave did not have a well defined center of circulation at the surface. So, the tropical was was still designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two.

Satellite images suggested that the circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was exhibiting more organization. Thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in bands in the northern part of the tropical wave. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two. The winds in the southern half of the system were blowing at less than tropical storm force. Storms near the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two began to generate upper level divergence.

The tropical wave will move south of the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean during the next few days. The high pressure system will steer the tropical wave toward the west. On its anticipated track Potential Tropical Cyclone Two will move near the northern coast of South America during the next 36 hours. It could reach Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao in less than 24 hours.

The tropical wave will move through an environment that is mostly favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. The wave will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the winds in the troposphere will blow from the east at most levels and there will be little vertical wind shear. The southern part of the wave will move over northern parts of Venezuela and Colombia. Southerly winds flowing into the tropical wave could bring drier air from South America into the southern part of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two. If the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two remains over the Caribbean Sea, then the circulation around the tropical wave could gradually become more organized during the next 24 hours. If a distinct center of circulation forms at the surface, then the tropical wave would be classified as a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Warnings Issued for Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada

Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada on Monday afternoon. A tropical wave formerly designated as Invest 94L was redesignated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was located at latitude 8.6°N and longitude 50.9°W which put it about 720 miles (1155 km) east of Trinidad. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 1009 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada and its dependencies.

A NOAA aircraft investigated former Invest 94L on Monday afternoon. The plane was unable to find a distinct low level center of circulation, but it did find winds to tropical storm force. Since there was no distinct low level center of circulation, the system was still considered to be a tropical wave. There was a broad area of counterclockwise rotation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern side of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two. The winds in the southern side of the system were blowing at less than tropical storm force. There were mostly showers and lower clouds near the center of the broad rotation. Thunderstorms were occurring in the western and northern parts of the tropical wave. The southern and eastern parts of the wave contained showers and lower clouds.

The tropical wave will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean during the next few days. The high pressure system will steer the tropical wave toward the west. On its anticipated track Potential Tropical Cyclone Two will approach the Windward Islands on Tuesday night.

The tropical wave will move through an environment that is favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. The wave will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the winds in the troposphere will blow from the east at most levels and there will be little vertical wind shear. The circulation around the tropical wave could gradually become more organized during the next few days. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two could become a tropical storm before it reaches Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada. Even if the system is still a tropical wave, it will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Windward Islands. Potential Tropical Cyclone Two could also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern coast of Venezuela.

Tropical Wave Moves Toward Windward Islands

A tropical wave designated as Invest 94L moved toward the Windward Islands on Sunday. There was a broad counterclockwise rotation in the lower levels of the wave. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of the broad rotation was located at latitude 7.8°N and longitude 42.8°W which put it about 1250 miles (2015 km) east-southeast of the Windward Islands. The tropical wave was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1009 mb.

A tropical wave designated as Invest 94L was located midway between Africa and the Windward Islands on Sunday morning. Loops of visible satellite images showed that a broad counterclockwise rotation was occurring in the lower levels of the tropical wave. There were mostly showers and lower clouds near the center of the broad rotation. Many of the thunderstorms were in the western and northern parts of the tropical wave. The southern eastern parts of the wave contained showers and lower clouds.

The tropical wave will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical wave toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track the tropical wave could approach the Windward Islands on Tuesday.

The tropical wave will move into an environment that is favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone. The wave will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the winds in the troposphere will blow from the east at most levels and there will be little vertical wind shear. The circulation around the tropical wave could gradually become more organized during the next few days. The National Hurricane Center is indicating the probability is 70% that the tropical wave develops into a tropical depression during the next five days. A NOAA aircraft is tentatively scheduled to investigate the tropical wave on Monday, if necessary.

Tropical Storm Celia Passes South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Celia passed south of Baja California on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Celia was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 110.8°W which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Celia was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Celia began to be affected by cooler water to its northwest on Saturday. The distribution of thunderstorms around Celia’s circulation was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Celia, which was still over warmer water. Bands in the western half of Celia, which was over cooler water, consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Celia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western side of Celia.

Tropical Storm Celia will move into an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next few days. Celia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26˚C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Celia’s circulation. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear. A combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Celia to weaken during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Celia will move south of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific. The high pressure system will steer Celia toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Celia will move farther away from Baja California.

Strong Tropical Wave over Eastern Atlantic

A strong tropical wave was over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Thursday night. The tropical wave was designated as Invest 94L. It was located along longitude 27.0°W which put it about 2200 miles (3560 km) east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles. The tropical wave was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1012 mb.

The axis of a strong tropical wave, also designated as Invest 94L, was located along longitude 27.0°W. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring south of latitude 11.0°N. Satellite derived data indicated that there was some rotation near the axis of the wave. Thunderstorms near the axis of the tropical wave generated upper level divergence.

The tropical wave will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical wave toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track the tropical wave could approach the Lesser Antilles on Tuesday.

The tropical wave will move through an environment that is favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone. The wave will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the winds in the troposphere will blow from the east at most levels and there will be little vertical wind shear. The National Hurricane Center is indicating the probability is 40% that the tropical wave develops into a tropical depression during the next five days.