Typhoon Lola seen from Himawari
Severe Tropical Cyclone Lola has formed in the southwest Pacific and is currently moving south west. As of 2023-10-25 at 21Z, it is located near Vanuatu at approximately 17°S, 167°E. Watch Lola move over 48 hours in RealEarth, which allows users to visualize full-disk data from geostationary satellites: GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari. Himawari carries the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI), which is a twin instrument to the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) that flies on GOES-East and West.
A previous post noted Lola’s lack of eye structure. You can see that eye clearly in the animation on 2023-10-23, but it dissipates by 2023-10-24 at 05Z. Discussion from the JWTC notes “a drastic degradation in the structure… and a lack of convection near the center… The environment is clearly hostile with high southwesterly shear, mid-level dry air and lower SSTs having finally taken their toll on the system.” Lola is predicted to arrive at New Caledonia island on 2023-10-27 at 00Z with its winds weakened significantly.
