97W Invest/Tropical Storm Pulasan, # 1
<!–
5:25 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, Japan time: A new tropical disturbance, 97W Invest, has formed well to Okinawa’s southeast. It has been upgraded by Japan Meteorological Agency to a tropical storm, named Pulasan.
According to initial forecast tracks, forecast ensembles and guidance, 97W is projected to take a similar path as Bebinca before it, struggling to intensify and passing just northeast of Kadena Air Base, bringing gusty winds and showers at mid-week.
At 3 p.m., 97W was about 1,260 miles southeast of Kadena, heading northwest with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts. U.S. bases on Okinawa remained in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 through Monday afternoon.
Should 97W remain on present heading, it’s forecast to stay on a northwest course, passing just 58 miles northeast of Kadena late afternoon or early evening Wednesday.
Kadena’s 18th Wing Weather Flight in a statement late Monday afternoon said 97W may similarly struggle to develop and intensify, as Bebinca did.
Current forecast winds are 23-mph sustained and 35-mph gusts for Kadena and 29-mph sustained and 40-mph gusts to coastal areas such as White Beach and Camp Schwab, according to the Weather Flight.
Guam, meanwhile, continues to face heavy rain and gusty winds. 97W was 80 miles northwest of Guam as of mid-afternoon Monday and flash-flood warnings were in effect.
There is nothing wrong with preparing for higher-end winds and gusts. The key is to prepare, not panic. And get your safe on.
***
Japan Meteorological Agency typhoon tracks = https://www.jma.go.jp/bosai/map.html#5/22.658/125.286/&elem=root&typhoon=all&lang=en&contents=typhoon
Joint Typhoon Warning Center home page = https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html
Model track guidance and forecast ensembles for 97W Invest = https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/storminfo/#97W
Kadena Air Base 18th Wing Weather Flight weather information = https://www.kadena.af.mil/Agencies/Local-Weather/
Kadena Air Base official Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/KadenaAirBase
Guam National Weather Service = https://www.weather.gov/gum/
Typhoon season primer for those new to the Pacific = https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/storm_tracker/2023-05-07/typhoon-season-primer-for-those-new-to-the-pacific-10040838.html