Tropical Storm Haitang

[Somerset Squall]

Tropical Depression 21W has formed a couple hundred miles eas of Hue, Vietnam. The system is drifiting eastwards into the South China Sea. Ridging to the north is expected to make the depression do a u-turn westwards back towards the coast. Waters are warm but shear is moderate to high, so only slight intensification is expected before landfall in Vietnam in around 36hrs time.

[Somerset Squall]

TD 21W has become Tropical Storm Haitang, with intensity rising to 35kts this morning. Moderate easterly shear continues to impinge on Haitang this morning, causing the LLC to be partially exposed on the eastern edge of some strong convection. Shear is not expected to ease so Haitang is not really expected to strengthen anymore. Haitang has turned to the northwest this morning in repsonse to the building ridge over China and will continue to veer westwards and make landfall in around 36hrs time (this is what I said in my last post, but Haitang has turned back towards the west later than expected, delaying final landfall).

[Somerset Squall]

Haitang is currently drenching Hainan Island and will bring flooding alsoto Vietnam. Despite the storm being kept weak by moderate shear, a huge blow up of convection has occured west of the LLC which is likely to bring some very high rainfall totals to the region. This is not good, especially in view of the fact that the very dangerous Typhoon Nesat could well visit this area later in the week.

[Somerset Squall]

Haitang is making landfall just south of Hue, Vietnam. The landfall of the LLC is not all that significant. The intensity has dropped to 25kts, so winds won't be a problem. The rains from Haitang have been drenching Hainan Island and Vietnam for a couple of days now already. Haitang should dissipate inland within 12hrs, but the rains may continue for a while yet, and will then will return with full force as Typhoon Nesat moves in.