Although the latest 06 UTC, Nov 5th, analysis indicated Halong was packing winds of 130 kt / 150 mph (a strong Category 4), it is a quite likely typhoon is now, based on Advanced Dvorak analysis, much more intense and is packing winds of near 150 knots / 175 mph – so a violent Category 5 Super typhoon! The central pressure at 06 UTC was 923mb, but is now already around 900 mbar! Additional strengthening is quite possible given the fact Halong remains in extremely warm and favorable sea waters for further intensification.
Satellite images during the last few hours, also right in the time of the final daylight over this monster, is exceptionally impressive. A classic textbook monster with an intense eyewall around the completely open large eye, with symmetrical stadium effect! This is usually seen with the most intense tropical systems (Major hurricanes or Super typhoons) of the highest intensity – CAT 5! The latest microwave satellite analysis for #Halong indicates a shrinking and intensifying eye, but with no eyewall replacement cycle in sight. This probably means that Halong could potentially reach even stronger maximum sustained winds, up to near 160 mph and pressure well below 900 mbar today.
#Typhoon #Halong has likely become yet another Category 5-equivalent storm over the open WPACA with objective as well as subjective estimates reaching 7.0T and a SATCON consensus od 133kts.
The current JTWC estimate of 115kts is ridiculously low pic.twitter.com/6G39s3bqc8— KeviShader (@KeviShader) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/HurricaneRiley5/status/1191540567336988672
Latest microwave loop for #Halong shows a shrinking and intensifying eye but no eyewall replacement cycle in sight, meaning that the system could potentially reach its MPI of around ~160kts 900mb pic.twitter.com/VHNBR8NL8l
— KeviShader (@KeviShader) November 5, 2019
Latest Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT) analysis reveals Halong has gone through an outstanding rapid intensification during the past hours and it is likely the system has winds of 150 kt and pressure near 900 mbar. And still strengthening. 50kt radii extend 90-100 miles around the center, with 50-60 miles inner core radii of 64kt winds. The ADT number is very impressive – 7.3 final which should put Halong at a strong Category 5 super typhoon on the next official update at 12 UTC analysis today.
Stay tuned for further updates later today!
Previous discussions:
Interested in our calendar? We are proud to present and promote the best weather photographers in Europe – see details: