Tag Archives: Okinawa

Typhoon Saola Moves Toward Hong Kong

Powerful Typhoon Saola moved across the South China Sea toward Hong Kong on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Saola was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 117.8°E which put it about 265 miles (430 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong. Saola was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Saola maintained its intensity near the threshold of the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale in Tuesday. A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (30 km) was at the center of Saola’ circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Saola’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Saola remained relatively constant on Wednesday. Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Saola’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Saola was 33.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 49.2. Typhoon Saola was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ian when Ian hit southwest Florida in 2022.

Typhoon Saola will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Saola will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level ridge winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Saola has been in equilibrium with its environment and Saola could maintain much of its intensity during the next 24 hours unless concentric eyewalls form. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Saola to weaken.

Typhoon Saola will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China. The high pressure system will steer Saola toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Saola will closer to Hong Kong. The center of Saola could be near Hong Kong in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Haikui was southeast of Okinawa and Tropical Storm Kirogi developed rapidly east of the Marianas. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Haikui was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 132.3°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) southeast of Okinawa. Haikui was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Kirogi was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 154.2°E which put it about 650 miles (1050 km) east of Guam. Kirogi was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun Meanders over Northern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Khanun meandered over the northern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 129.8°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) northeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the southeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun meandered over the northern Ryukyu Islands on Saturday. The center of Khanun’s circulation was over Amami Oshima. Bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Khanun were bringing rain to Okinawa, Amami Oshima and other northern Ryukyu Islands. A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base was reporting a sustained wind speed of 35 m.p.h. (56 km/h) and a wind gust of 53 m.p.h. (85 km/h).

There was a large circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 225 miles (360 km) from the center of Khanun. The region near the center of circulation contained bands of showers and low clouds. Farther away from the center, a band of thunderstorms stretched around the western, southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Khanun. Storms in that bands generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Tropical Storm Khanun will probably not intensify during the next 24 hours, because of the lack of thunderstorms in the inner core of its circulation. The large circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun seems to be in an equilibrium with its environment and the intensity may not change much during the next 24 hours..

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Khanun will move a little to the east of the northern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. Tropical Storm Khanun will continue to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa, Amami Oshima and the other northern Ryukyu Islands. Prolonged heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Khanun Brings Gusty Winds and Rain Back to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Khanun brought gusty winds and rain back to Okinawa on Friday night. A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h) and a wind gust of 69 m.p.h. (111 km/h). At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 27.7°N and longitude 127.2°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Former Typhoon Khanun weakened to a tropical storm on Friday. The bands in the inner core of Khanun’s circulation consisted of low clouds and showers. Bands of thunderstorms were located in the eastern and southern parts of Tropical Storm Khanun. Bands in the northwestern part of Khanun also consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The bands of thunderstorms generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours . Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Tropical Storm Khanun is unlikely to intensify during the next 24 hours, because of the lack of thunderstorms in the inner core of its circulation. The large circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun seems to be in an equilibrium with its environment and the intensity may not change much during the next 36 hours..

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Khanun will pass north of Okinawa in 12 hours. The center of Khanun could pass over Amami Oshima in less than 24 hours. Tropical Storm Khanun will continue to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa, Amami Oshima and the other northern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Khanun Stalls West of Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun stalled over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Okinawa on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 124.8°E which put it about 200 miles (325 km) west of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Khanun weakened while it stalled west of Okinawa. Khanun had almost completed an eyewall replacement cyclone on Thursday night. The former inner eyewalll consisted of a ring of low clouds and showers. The strongest winds were occurring in the southern part of the ring of showers. A very large, broken outer eyewall with a diameter of 150 miles (240 km) surrounded the center of Typhoon Khanun. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the outer eyewall. Storms around the outer eyewall generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large, even though Khanun was weaker. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) to the south of the center of Khanun. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 10.4. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 25.1. Typhoon Khanun was capable of causing regional minor damage.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Typhoon Khanun is unlikely to intensify during the next 24 hours, because of the almost completed eyewall replacement cycle. The eyewall replacement cycle disrupted the inner core of Khanun. Typhoon Khanun is unlikely to intensify until the larger outer eyewall begins to contract closer to the center of circulation. Khanun could actually weaken a little more on Friday.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move back toward the Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. Typhoon Khanun will to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa and the other northern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. The center of Khanun could be just north of Okinawa in 36 hours.

Large Typhoon Khanun Churns West of Okinawa

Large Typhoon Khanun churned over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of Okinawa on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) west of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (1650 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around an existing eye and eyewall on Wednesday and concentric eyewalls formed in Typhoon Khanun. The inner eye had a diameter of 15 miles (25 km). The inner eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The inner eyewall was surrounded by a large clear area called a moat. The moat was surrounded by a large outer eyewall that had a diameter of 115 miles (185 km). Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls. Storms in the concentric eyewalls generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Khanun increased when the concentric eyewalls formed. Winds to typhoon force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 235 miles (380 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 37.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 54.8. Khanun is capable of causing extensive serious damage. Typhoon Khanun was large than Hurricane Ivan was when Ivan hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2004. Khanun was not quite as strong as Ivan was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Typhoon Khanun is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours, because of the concentric eyewalls. The inner eyewall is likely to weaken and the low level convergence will occur into the large, outer eyewall. Since the strongest winds are in the inner eyewall, the wind speed will decrease when the inner eyewall weakens.

Typhoon Khanun will be in an area where the steering currents are weak during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will meander west of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. Khanun is forecast to move back toward the east-northeast later this week. The center of Typhoon Khanun could pass north of Okinawa on Friday. Khanun is forecast move across the northern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Typhoon Khanun will continue to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Okinawa and other Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Khanun Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 127.1°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south-southwest of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 941 mb.

Typhoon Khanun brought strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa on Tuesday. The eye and eyewall at the center of Khanun’s circulation passed just south of Okinawa. Bands in the northern part of Typhoon Khanun moved across Okinawa. A weather station at Kadena Air Force Base reported a sustained wind speed of 74 m.p.h. (119 km/h). The weather station reported a wind gust to 87 m.p.h. (141 km/h).

An eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Khanun. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.8. Khanun is capable of causing regional major damage. Typhoon Khanun was as strong as Hurricane Dennis was when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005. Khanun was much larger than Dennis was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will become less favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, there is a region of drier air northwest of the Ryukyu Islands. Some of the drier air could get pulled into the western half of Typhoon Khanun. The drier air is likely to cause Typhoon Khanun to weaken during the next 24 hours. Khanun is likely to move slowly during the next few days. Strong winds near the surface will mix cooler water to the surface of the ocean. Typhoon Khanun will extract less energy from the ocean and it is likely to continue to weaken later this week.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Khanun move west of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. The steering currents are likely to weaken later this week and Typhoon Khanun could meander near the Ryukyu Islands for several days. Khanun will continue to bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa and the other southern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Khanun will also cause a significant storms surge in the parts of islands where the winds blow water toward the coast.

Typhoon Khanun Approaches Okinawa

Typhoon Khanun was approaching Okinawa on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 129.1°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 930 mb.

Typhoon Khanun continued to strengthen on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Khanun’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the typhoon in all directions.

The core of Typhoon Khanun contracted on Monday as Khanun intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.7. Khanun is capable of causing regional severe damage. Typhoon Khanun was almost as strong as Hurricane Ida was when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021. Khanun was larger than Ida was.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for a strong typhoon during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Khanun could intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could develop. The formation of concentric eyewalls would cause Khanun to weaken.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the core of Typhoon Khanun will be just south of Okinawa in 12 hours. Khanun will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa and the other southern Ryukyu Islands. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Typhoon Khanun will also cause a significant storms surge in the parts of islands where the winds blow water toward the coast.

Typhoon Khanun Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Khanun rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane southeast of Okinawa on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 133.7°E which put it about 405 miles (655 km) southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Typhoon Khanun rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Khanun’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the typhoon in all directions. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Khanun was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Khanun was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 26.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.2. Typhoon Khanun was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Jeanne when Jeanne hit Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Khanun is very likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Khanun could intensify rapidly at times.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. The center of Khanun could be just south of Okinawa in 36 hours.

Khanun Strengthens to a Typhoon South-Southeast of Okinawa

Former Tropical Storm Khanun strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Okinawa on Sunday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Khanun was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 132.5°E which put it about 575 miles (925 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Khanun continued to steadily strengthen during Saturday night and Khanun reached typhoon intensity on Sunday. A circular eye developed at the center of Khanun’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Khanun. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The large circulation around Typhoon Khanun became much more symmetrical during the past 24 hours. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Khanun’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Khanun will intensify during the next 36 hours. Khanun could intensify rapidly at times. Typhoon Khanun could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Typhoon Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in 36 hours. Khanun could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Okinawa.

Tropical Storm Khanun Intensifies

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Okinawa on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 680 miles (1100 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun intensified steadily on Saturday, but there still were few thunderstorms near the center of Khanun. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Khanun’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Khanun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the inner ends of rainbands in the southern and eastern parts of Khanun generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Tropical Storm Khanun was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Khanun.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Khanun is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Khanun is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in less than 48 hours. Khanun is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches Okinawa.