Typhoon warnings in Northern Mariana Islands as Fengshen rapidly intensifies

Typhoon "Fengshen" underwent rapid intensification on November 15, 2019. Typhoon warnings remain in effect for Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan in the Northern Mariana Islands.

According to Joint Typhoon Warning Center's (JTWC) warning issued at 15:00 UTC, Fengshen is located approximately 748 km (465 miles) north-northwest of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Animated multispectral satellite imagery depicts an 18.5 km (11.5 miles) eye with warming in the center. Furthermore, the agency said the initial intensity is assessed at 175 km/h (109 mph), within range of 166 to 189 km/h (103 to 117 mph).

The storm is moving west-northwestward at 25 km/h (15 mph).

Fengshen is "tracking along the southwestern periphery of a deep-layered subtropical steering ridge situated to the north."

Image credit: JMA/Himawari-8. Acquired at 15:10 UTC on November 15, 2019 

Image credit: JTWC

Image credit: JTWC

The storm will then turn slowly northwest on Friday as it moves away from the Marianas.

Fengshen will miss the Ogasawara islands, south of Japan, as it continues to recurve.

"The image below is the DVORAK estimate on the storm. Notice the large jump after rapid intensification took place on the storm. This is very similar to what we have seen with typhoons Halong and Hagibis earlier this year in the same area of the Pacific. Warm sea surface temperatures in this area really provide fuel for these storms to gain strength," said meteorologist Robert Speta.

"Overall Fengshen is an interesting storm to look but I’m not all too worried about its impact on people directly," Speta said.

Julie Celestial

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