Typhoon No. 19 (Narra) has come to a near-standstill over the Gulf of Tonkin, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecasts the system to gradually weaken into a tropical depression within the next 45 hours as it drifts northeastward.
CURRENT STATUS
Based on the JMA observations on August 24, 2026 04:05 UTC
- Location: 20.5°N, 107.7°E, over the Gulf of Tonkin, between Hainan Island and the northern Vietnam coast
- Intensity: Tropical Storm (TS)
- Movement: Almost stationary
- Central pressure: 992 hPa
- Maximum sustained winds: 40 kt (74 km/h), with gusts to 60 kt (111 km/h)
- Radius of 30-kt wind area: 220 km (120 NM) to the southwest, 165 km (90 NM) to the northeast
Himawari Satellite Imagery (Visible Color) valid August 24, 2026 06:30 UTC
FORECAST TRACK SUMMARY
According to JMA's latest advisory (issued 04:05 UTC, August 24, based on the 03 UTC analysis), Typhoon No. 19 (Narra) is expected to remain almost stationary over the Gulf of Tonkin through August 25, 03 UTC, with its center forecast near 19.9°N, 108.0°E — a slight southward shift within the same general area. By August 26, 00 UTC, the system is forecast to begin drifting slowly northeast, with its center near 20.9°N, 109.2°E, placing it closer to the Leizhou Peninsula/Hainan Strait area of southern China. JMA notes the storm's prolonged stalling behavior, which increases uncertainty in the eventual track once it resumes forward motion.
INTENSITY FORECAST
Narra is forecast to weaken gradually over the next two days. The storm is expected to remain a tropical storm through August 25, 03 UTC, with central pressure rising slightly from 992 hPa to 994 hPa and maximum sustained winds easing from 40 kt (74 km/h) to 35 kt (65 km/h), with gusts down to 50 kt (93 km/h). By August 26, 00 UTC, JMA forecasts a transition to tropical depression status, with central pressure rising further to 996 hPa. Sustained wind data is not specified for this period, consistent with the downgrade to tropical depression intensity. The steady rise in central pressure across all three forecast periods confirms a weakening trend is favored, though confidence in the exact timing of the TD transition should be treated as moderate given the storm's unusual stalling.
IMPACTS & THREATS
While stationary, Narra poses a continued threat of heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the Gulf of Tonkin coastal areas, including northern Vietnam and Hainan Island, China. Prolonged onshore winds and swell could affect coastal shipping lanes and fishing operations in the Gulf of Tonkin through August 26 local time (24 August 10:47 ICT onward). Storm surge and rough seas may persist near the coast even as the system weakens, given the slow movement is allowing wind and wave energy to build over a fixed area. Mariners transiting the Gulf of Tonkin and the northern South China Sea should expect reduced visibility and hazardous sea conditions until the system fully transitions to a tropical depression.
OPERATIONAL PORT FORECASTS
■ HAIKOU, Hainan Islands, China
■ BASUO (DONG FANG), Hainan Island, China
■ YANGPU, Hainan Island, China
■ HAIPHONG, Vietnam
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While official observations guide the general threat assessment, highly detailed, proprietary routing and port forecasts are essential for safe navigation. Weathernews services provide customers with 24/7 localized data to ensure your vessels remain safe and well-informed. Please consult our dedicated services for the most up-to-date, detailed predictions for your specific routes and operations.
Note on the storm's name: The name 'Narra' was contributed by the Philippines and refers to a kind of tree. The WMO and the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee adopt these names sequentially to make tracking specific storms straightforward and to quickly communicate warnings. To learn more about how storms are named, please visit the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) website.
