Super Typhoon LUPIT: The Sauntering Storm

Listening to the Planet’s Pulse

Weather models provide useful information, but they can’t project the larger picture

Storms and other natural phenomena serve to rejuvenate and ensure streams of life flow unimpeded. If you find their impact devastating, it’s because you are looking at the wrong roadmap.

Super Typhoon Lupit. Date/Time as inset. Click on image to animate.

MTSAT IR Image. Updated at 30 mins intervals. Click image to enlarge.

Background and More images:

• Typhoon LUPIT Update – 17 Oct 2009
• LUPIT: The Mercy Storm?

Summary of Lupit Latest Data  (October 19 at (03:00 UTC)

• Intensity: Super Typhoon (Very Strong)
• Center position:  18.7° N, E 133.8°E
• Direction and speed: N (340 degrees) at 9km/h (5kt)
• Central pressure: 930hPa
• Maximum sustained winds:  250 km/h, or70m/s (135kt)
• Max. wind gusts:  307km/h (165kt)
• Area of 50kt or greater winds:   200km wide (110NM)
• Area of 30kt or greater winds:   440km wide (240NM)
• Source(s): JMA; JTWC
• Significant wave height: 11 m (32 feet)

Super Typhoon LUPIT (22W) is currently located about 1455 km (785 nm) ENE of Manila, Philippines, having moved north-northwestward at a forward speed of about 9 km/h (05 knots) during the previous six hours. LUPIT is turning back towards the west because a mid-latitude trough has left the region and the subtropical ridge is beginning to build in. LUPIT may be unable to retain super typhoon intensity and could slightly weaken before moving closer to  northern Luzon, JTWC reported.

LUPIT 3-day projected track. Image: JMA. Image may be subject to copyright. Click image to enlarge!

Super Typhoon LUPIT Projected Track. Solid centers represent wind forces stronger than 117km/h. Source: JTWC. Click image to enlarge!

Satellite Loops/Animation/Images

• Tropical West Pacific – Infrared
• Tropical West Pacific – Enhanced IR
• Tropical West Pacific – Water Vapor
• Tropical West Pacific – Visible

• Northwest Pacific – Water Vapor
• Northwest Pacific – Visible
• Northwest Pacific – Visible (Colorized)
• Northwest Pacific – Infrared
• Northwest Pacific – IR (Aviation Color Enhancement)

• West Pacific – Water Vapor
• West Pacific – Visible
• West Pacific – Visible (Colorized)
• West Pacific – Infrared
• West Pacific – IR (Aviation Color Enhancement)

Other Satellite Images:

• FEWW Satellite Imagery

Related Links:

• Typhoon LUPIT Update – 17 Oct 2009
• LUPIT: The Mercy Storm?