Hagupit weakens into tropical depression as it approaches southern Vietnam

Former Super Typhoon "Hagupit" weakened into a tropical depression as it approached southern Vietnam coast. During December 11 the system was moving to the west at 15 km/h (9 mph), developing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (34 mph).

MTSAT visible/IR satellite animation during December 11, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)

The Vietnam National Centre for Hydro-meteorological forecasting has issued a tropical depression warning for southern Vietnam. The system will still cause rough sea conditions and heavy rainfall with some areas exceeding 100-200 mm of total accumulation. Flooding and landslides are still a threat here, especially in areas just north east of Ho Chi Minh City.

NCEP GFS total precipitation forecast model from December 10-14, 2014. (Credit:GFS/NCEP/WxBell)

Hagupit is moving west-southwest toward southern Vietnam, where final landfall is expected around December 12, 2014. The system is forecast to dissipate quickly after landfall.

Vietnamese forecast track. (Credit: The Vietnam National Centre for Hydro-meteorological forecasting)

JTWC forecast track. (Credit: JTWC)

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: MTSAT IR satellite image taken at 00:30 UTC on December 12, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)