Tropical Storm Nesat Update #19

Nesat has now weakened into a tropical storm as it crossed the northern portions of Hainan. It is now moving over the Gulf of Tonkin, located approximately 320km east southeast of Hanoi. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 100kph gusting to 135kph. Nesat is currently moving westward at 20kph.

Latest rainfall reports out of Hainan indicated amounts of 100 to 200mm with some areas reporting as high as 300mm (Danxian). Haikou airport also reported wind gusts in excess of 160kph at the height of Nesat's onslaught yesterday. We have still yet to receive news of damage in that region.

IR Image shows the storm has become more fragmented and the coverage a whole lot smaller. The system is still maintaining some pretty strong convective activity.

IR from NRLMRY

Radar image from Vietnam shows bands of moderate rain now approaching the northeaster coast. The precipitation could drop more than 200mm today across Northern Vietnam.

Radar from NCHMF, for more click HERE

Nesat should make landfall later this afternoon, approximately 130km east of Hanoi. We'll have another update later today.
_______________________________________
Issued (2230 UTC) 630am PhT 093011