Tropical Storm “Sinlaku” leaves Philippines, heads toward Vietnam, Cambodia

Tropical Storm "Sinlaku" (Queenie) formed over the open waters of the South China Sea, after developing into a depression east of the Philippines. This is 21st tropical system of Northwestern Pacific season this year.

The system is now heading west after leaving two dead, several injured and over a dozen homes destroyed in the Philippines. A big sinkhole opened up in Cebu after the heavy rain resulting in damage to homes.

ECMWF total precipitation forecast (Credit: ECMWF)

MTSAT visible and RBTOP IR satellite images taken at 05:32 UTC on November 28, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/MTSAT)

Sinlaku is expected to make landfall in Vietnam in the vicinity of Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Phan Rang. Shortly after landfall, rapid weakening is expected due to increase in vertical wind shear and cooler air with the monsoon. Flooding downpours will be the biggest threat as the system moves inland.

JTWC forecast track. (Credit: JTWC)

Another wave of moisture that moves into the Philippines for the weekend will likely follow the same track, bringing more rainfall to some heavily hit areas.

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)

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; CIMSS)

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

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Sinlaku" on November 28, 2014. Image credit: CIMSS