Powerful Typhoon Jebi strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Jebi was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 141.0°E which put it about 400 miles (645 km) south of Iwo To.  Jebi was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 210 m.p.h. (335 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 907 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Jebi was very well organized and symmetrical.  There was a circular eye at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

Jebi is a large and powerful typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 195 miles (315 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Jebi was 40.4.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.6 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 62.0.

Typhoon Jebi may have reached its maximum intensity.  Microwave satellite imagery suggested that an inner rainband may have wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall.  If that has occurred, then an eyewall replacement cycle may have begun.  An eyewall replacement cycle will cause a typhoon to weaken when the inner eyewall, where the strongest wind are, dissipates.

Typhoon Jebi will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  Jebi will gradually turn toward the north as it moves around the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Jebi should pass west of Iwo To.  Jebi could be approaching Japan in three days or so.