Typhoon Meari Passing Northwest of the Marianas

Typhoon Meari moved northwest of the Marianas on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Meari was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 143.2°E which put it about 240 miles (390 km) west-northwest of Agrihan.  Meari was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 963 mb.

Typhoon Meari strengthened on Saturday.  An eye appeared on visible satellite imagery.  The eyewall is thicker on the southwestern side and thinner on the northeastern side.  There are also more rainbands in the southwestern part of the circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms around the core of Typhoon Meari are generating upper level divergence which is pumping out mass.

Typhoon Meari will be moving through a favorable environment for another 12 to 24 hours.  Meari is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The typhoon is moving along the transition zone between an upper level trough to its west and an upper level ridge to its east.  There are southwesterly winds blowing across the western side of Typhoon Meari, but those winds are actually enhancing the upper level divergence.  Vertical wind shear will increase when the upper level trough moves closer to the typhoon and Meari will start to weaken early next week.

The upper level trough is steering Typhoon Meari toward the northeast and that general motion is expected to continue for the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Meari will pass northwest of the northernmost Marianas.  Meari will pass southeast of Iwo To as it moves toward the northern Pacific.