Tropical Storm Namtheun

[Somerset Squall]

Tropical Storm Namtheun has formed north of Taiwan, and has an intensity of 35kts. The storm is quite small but has a good amount of convection near the centre. The LLC is partially exposed due to strong shear north of the storm. Namtheun doesn't have long to strengthen, as it is expected to be dragged southwestwards towards the larger Tropical Storm Lionrock southwest of Taiwan. As Namtheun is smaller, Lionrock will likely absorb this system. The resulting cyclone will then make landfall in China. Intensity is hard to gauge, but needless to say China and Taiwan need to brace themselves for flooding rains and high winds.

[Somerset Squall]

Namtheun peaked at 40kts last night but now is in trouble. The storm has nowhere to go and has drifted slowly southwestwards towards TS Lionrock. Typhoon Kompasu is not that far away to the northeast, and the latter two storms have really squeezed the moisture out of Namtheun. Very little convection remains and the storm could degenerate into a remnant low before being absorbed by Lionrock. Namtheun is likely to cause little if any weather impact on land.

The below satellite shot of Namtheun shows all three storms in one shot. Quite remarkable just how close Lionrock, Namtheun and Kompasu are! I'm thinking some kind of record here?

[Somerset Squall]

Namtheun's intensity has fallen to 30kts and thus the storm is downgraded to a tropical depression. The LLC is not very well defined and looks very close to moving inland. Convection is still lacking as Namtheun gets battered by shear from both Lionrock and Kompasu's outflow. Namtheun will likely lose tropical cyclone status soon before being absorbed by Lionrock.

[Somerset Squall]

Namtheun has dissipated over land. It's remnants are being entrained into the larger vortex of TS Lionrock, therefore regeneration is not expected.