Tropical Depression 02W developed near Philippines

The second tropical depression of the northwestern Pacific Ocean season formed on February 19, 2013 and the system is soaking the central and southern Philippines. Early on February 19, 2013, the low pressure area designated as System 98W organized into a tropical depression and was renamed “02W.” Tropical Depression 02W formed south of Mindanao, the Philippines. TD02W is referred to locally in the Philippines as “Tropical Depression Crising.” TD02W is currently experiencing moderate vertical wind shear, as high as 20 knots (23 mph/37 km/h) which is keeping the depression from getting better organized. That is expected to change, however, once TD02W moves west into the South China Sea.

Latest report by Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) locates TD 02W approximately 80nm west-northwest of Zamboanga, Philippines, tracking northwestward at 09 knots (10.3 mph/16.6 kph). Maximum sustained winds blow at speed of 25 knots (28.7 mph/46.3 kph) with gusts up to 35 knots. TD 02W is currently tracking along the southern periphery of an east-west oriented low-level subtropical ridge entrenched across the South China Sea.

Multispectral satellite view of TD02W (Credit: JTWC)

NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Depression 02W (TD02W) as it was coming together and soaking provinces in Mindanao and the Palawan province of Luzon. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument that flies aboard Aqua/MODIS satellite recorded very cold cloud top temperatures, colder than -52C (-63F) over Mindanao and stretching west to Palawan. Cloud top temperatures that cold are indicative of the potential to drop more heavy rainfall. AIRS infrared satellite imagery showed a very poorly organized and ill- defined low-level circulation center. The convection (rising air that forms thunderstorms that make up the depression) appears disorganized in the northern quadrant of the storm.

NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Depression 02W as it was coming together and soaking provinces in Mindanao and the Palawan province of Luzon. This infrared AIRS image from 12:41 a.m. EST on Feb. 19 showed strong storms (purple) over Mindanao and stretching west to Palawan. (Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen)

PAGASA issued storm warnings for many areas in the Philippines. Public storm warning signal #1 was posted for the following provinces of Mindanao: Davao del Norte and Sur and Oriental, Samal Island, Compostela Valley, the southern part of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Sur and& Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. In addition, Signal #1 is now in effect for the south of the Palawan province of Luzon.

TD 02W is forecast to continue tracking westward under the steering influence of the dominant subtropical ridge and will take a slight west-southwest track past tau 24 due to the low-level northeast flow in the South China Sea. The system is expected to struggle to maintain intensity under the marginal upper-level environment and the cool, dry air associated with a persistent northeast surge event in addition to land interaction as the system passes close to southern Palawan.

TD 02W forecast tracks by Tropical Storm Risk and JTWC

Satellite Animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT; NOAA/SSD)

• West Pacific/South China Sea Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• West Pacific/South China Sea Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• West Pacific/South China Sea Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA)

 

If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.