Bushman's Typhoon Blog: Typhoon FUNG-WONG (IGME) now at Category 2... [Update #008]

Typhoon2000 STORM UPDATE #008

Name: TYPHOON FUNG-WONG [IGME/09W/0808]

Issued: 6:00 PM MANILA TIME (10:00 GMT) SUN 27 JULY 2008
Source: JTWC TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING NUMBER 012
Note: Kindly refer to your country's official warnings or bulletins. This update is for additional information purposes only.

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FUNG-WONG (IGME) STRENGTHENS INTO A CATEGORY TWO TYPHOON...TURNS NORTH-

WESTWARD AS IT INCHES CLOSER TO TAIWAN.

+ FORECAST OUTLOOK: FUNG-WONG is expected to continue moving NW-ward

for the next 24 hours and intensify - reaching Category 3 status w/

forecast wind speed of 185 km/hr prior to landfall. The EYE shall

pass more or less 200 km to the north of Batanes early tomorrow

morning and make landfall over Eastern Taiwan passing close to the

south of Hualien City by tomorrow morning, approx 9-10 AM Manila

Time. The core (eye & eyewall) shall cross the mountainous terrain

of Taiwan tomorrow afternoon and move out into Taiwan Strait tomo-

rrow evening. FUNG-WONG shall make its final landfall along the

Southeastern Coast of China approx 3-4 AM Tuesday (Jul 29) as a

weakened Category 1 Typhoon. The 2 to 4-day medium-range forecast

shows the system tracking NNW-ward overland, across the rugged

terrain of Fujian Province of China throughout Wednesday (July 30).

Complete dissipation is forecast over Zhejiang Province, China on

Thursday, July 31st. *Alternate Forecast Scenario: There is a
possibilty that FUNG-WONG may turn poleward (Northward) skirting
Northern Taiwan, if the High Pressure Steering Ridge to its
North-NNE weakens.

+ EFFECTS: FUNG-WONG's strong spiral-cloud circulation continues to

improve over the Northern Philippine Sea, with the formation of a

large ragged Eye. Its western & southwesternmost outer rain bands

continues to spread across Extreme Northern Luzon and has reached

the whole of Taiwan. Rains and winds not in excess of 60 km/hr can

be expected along these bands. Typhoon conditions can be expected

tonight and tomorrow across Taiwan as the inner bands, eyewall and

eye approaches. Strong winds not exceeding 200 km/hr with up to 400

mm of total rainfall is likely to affect Taiwan and Taiwan Strait

tomorrow. Residents in low-lying areas must seek higher grounds for

possible flooding & landslides due to the anticipated heavy rains

brought about by this system. Precautionary measures must be initia-

ted if necessary. Coastal Storm Surge flooding of 6 to 8 feet above

normal tide levels...along with large and dangerous battering waves

can be expected near and to the north on where the center makes

landfall in Eastern Taiwan. Moderate damage is possible on this

type of storm surge. Far-fetched storm surge is possible along

coastal areas of Southeastern China, Extreme Northern Luzon with

surf reaching 4 feet at most.

+ CURRENT MONSOON INTENSITY: The Southwest (SW) Monsoon being enhanced

by Typhoon FUNG-WONG (IGME) will continue to affect Luzon and Western

Visayas...becoming more intense along Metro Manila & Western Luzon.

Partly Cloudy to Cloudy skies with possible light to moderate passing

rains w/ at times heavy downpour & strong SW'ly winds not exceeding

50 km/hr can be expected. Landslides, mudflows (lahars) and flooding

is likely to occur along steep mountain/volcano slopes, river banks,

low-lying & flood-prone areas of the affected areas.

Important Note: Please keep in mind that the above forecast outlook,
effects & current monsoon intensity, and tropical cyclone watch changes
every 06 to 12 hours!
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TIME/DATE: 5:00 PM MANILA TIME (09:00 GMT) 27 JULY
LOCATION OF EYE: LATITUDE 22.4º N...LONGITUDE 123.6º E
DISTANCE 1: 270 KM (145 NM) NE OF BASCO, BATANES, PH

DISTANCE 2: 270 KM (145 NM) SE OF HUALIEN, TAIWAN

DISTANCE 3: 355 KM (192 NM) SE OF TAIPEI, TAIWAN

DISTANCE 4: 485 KM (262 NM) NNE OF APARRI, CAGAYAN

MAX WINDS [1-MIN AVG]: 160 KM/HR (85 KTS) NEAR THE CENTER
PEAK WIND GUSTS: 195 KM/HR (105 KTS)
SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE: CATEGORY TWO (2)
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE (est.): 959 MILLIBARS (hPa)
RECENT MOVEMENT: NW @ 19 KM/HR (10 KTS)
GENERAL DIRECTION: TAIWAN
STORM'S SIZE (IN DIAMETER): 890 KM (480 NM)/LARGE-VERY LARGE
MAX WAVE HEIGHT**: 30 FEET (9.1 METERS)
VIEW TRACKING MAP: 2 PM MANILA TIME SUN JULY 27
TSR WIND PROBABILITIES: CURRENT TO 96 HRS LEAD

PHILIPPINE STORM SIGNALS*:
#03 - BATANES, CALAYAN & BABUYAN GROUP OF ISLANDS.
#02 - NORTHERN CAGAYAN, APAYAO & ILOCOS NORTE.
#01 - REST OF CAGAYAN, KALINGA, ABRA, MT. PROVINCE, ILOCOS SUR,
IFUGAO, BENGUET, LA UNION, PANGASINAN, ZAMBALES, & BATAAN.

12, 24, 48 & 72 HR. FORECAST:
2 AM (18 GMT) 28 JULY: 23.1N 122.5E / 175-215 KPH / NW @ 15 KPH

2 PM (06 GMT) 28 JULY: 24.2N 121.1E / 185-230 KPH / NW @ 15 KPH

2 PM (06 GMT) 29 JULY: 26.4N 118.6E / 85-100 KPH / NNW @ 13 KPH
2 PM (06 GMT) 30 JULY: 28.7N 117.2E / 65-85 KPH / NNW @ 09 KPH

REMARKS: 2 PM (06 GMT) 27 JULY POSITION: 22.1N 124.0E.
^TYPHOON (TY) FUNG-WONG HAS STEADILY INTENSIFIED UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF STRONG UPPER LEVEL OUTFLOW AND HIGH OCEAN HEAT
CONTENT AND CONTINUED TRACKING GENERALLY WESTWARD OVER THE
PAST 12 HOURS. A DEVELOPING EYE FEATURE IS NOW EVIDENT IN
BOTH MICROWAVE AND MULTI-SPECTRAL SATELLITE IMAGERY...(more)

>> FUNG-WONG {pronounced: fang~wang}, meaning: Phoenix (Name of Peak).
Name contributed by: Hong Kong, China.
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PAGASA CURRENT POSITION, MOVEMENT AND INTENSITY (10-min. ave.):

> 4 PM (08 GMT) 27 JULY: 22.4N 123.7E / NW @ 15 KPH / 130 kph

:: For the complete PAGASA bulletin, kindly visit their website at:
http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/wb/tcupdate.shtml
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RECENT WUNDERGROUND.COM TRACKING CHART:

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RECENT MTSAT-1R SATELLITE IMAGE:

> Image source: Digital-Typhoon.Org (http://www.digital-typhoon.org/)
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NOTES:

^ - JTWC commentary remarks (for Meteorologists) from their
latest warning.

* - Based on PAGASA's Philippine Storm Warning Signals,
      # 4 being the highest. Red letters indicate new areas
      being hoisted. For more explanations on these signals,
      visit: http://www.typhoon2000.ph/signals.htm

** - Based on the Tropical Cyclone's Wave Height near
      its center.
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>> To know the meteorological terminologies and acronyms
   used on this update visit the ff:

    http://typhoon2000.ph/tcterm.htm
    http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml
    http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/severewx/glossary.php
    http://www.srh.weather.gov/fwd/glossarynation.html
    http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/acronyms.shtml
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