Tag Archives: Wake Island

Tropical Storm Lan Moves over the Sea of Japan

Tropical Storm Lan moved over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lan was located at latitude 38.7°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 220 miles (355 km) west-southwest of Akita, Japan. Lan was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Lan moved over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday after it crossed Honshu near Osaka. Lan weakened to a tropical storm as it crossed over Honshu. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Lan was asymmetrical on Tuesday night. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Lan’s circulation. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the northern half of Lan generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Lan.

Tropical Storm Lan will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Lan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is northwest of Japan. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lan’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate wind shear will prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Lan. Lan will begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone in a day or so when it moves over colder water.

The upper level trough that is northwest of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Lan toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, The center of Tropical Storm Lan will pass west of Hokkaido in 24 hours. Lan could approach Sakhalin Island in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Dora weakened to a tropical depression north-northeast of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Dora was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 380 miles (610 km) north-northeast of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Typhoon Lan Makes Landfall in Honshu

Typhoon Lan made landfall in Honshu on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 33.7°N and longitude 135.9°E which put it about 15 miles (25 km) north of Shingu, Japan. Lan was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

The center of Typhoon Lan made landfall in Wakayama Prefecture near Shingu on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) was at the center of Lan’s circulation. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Lan.

There was still a large circulation around Typhoon Lan. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.9. Typhoon Lan was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will move across Honshu during the next 24 hours. The center of Lan’s circulation will pass near Osaka in a few hours. The center of circulation will also pass west of Kyoto before Lan moves over the Sea of Japan.

Although Typhoon Lan will weaken as it moves across Honshu, Lan will produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain over parts of Honshu. Lan will drop heavy rain over Wakayama, Nara, Osaka, Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Tottori, Okayama and Fukui Prefectures. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Wind and rain are also likely to cause loss of electricity in widespread areas.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Dora continued to weaken east of Wake Island. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 168.3°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) east of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the north-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Typhoon Lan Approaches Honshu

Typhoon Lan was approaching Honshu on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 32.1°N and longitude 137.2°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of Shingu, Japan. Lan was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Typhoon Lan strengthened as it approached Honshu on Sunday. A large circular eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) was at the center of Lan’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 large core of Typhoon Lan. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

There was a large circulation around Typhoon Lan. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.8. Typhoon Lan was capable of causing widespread serious damage.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Lan 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. Typhoon Lan could continue to strengthen during the next 12 hours as it approaches Honshu.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Lan will make landfall in Wakayama Prefecture south of Osaka in about 18 hours. Lan will produce strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain over parts of Honshu. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Dora continue to weaken east of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 169.7°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) east of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Typhoon Lan Continues to Move Toward Honshu

Typhoon Lan continued to move to Honshu on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Lan was located at latitude 30.0°N and longitude 139.1°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) south of Tokyo, Japan. Lan was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Typhoon Lan completed an eyewall replacement cyclone on Saturday. The smaller, inner eye and eyewall dissipated. A circular eye with a diameter of 70 miles (110 km) was at the center of Lan’s circulation on Saturday night. The large 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 large eye. Storms around the eye generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The area of typhoon force winds in Typhoon Lan increased during the eyewall replacement cycle. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lan’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Lan was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.6.

Typhoon Lan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lan 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. Typhoon Lan could strengthen during the next 24 hours, since the eyewall replacement cycle is complete.

Typhoon Lan will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Lan toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Lan will approach Honshu in less than 48 hours. The center of Lan could make landfall south of Osaka. Lan will be a typhoon when it reaches Honshu.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Hurricane Dora weakened to a tropical storm East of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 174.7°E which put it about 570 miles (920 km) east of Wake Island. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest 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.

Hurricane Dora Moves Across the International Date Line

Hurricane Dora moved across the International Date Line on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 179.4°E which put it about 860 miles (1390 km) south of Midway Island. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Hurricane Dora was weakening as it moved across the International Date Line on Friday night. Dora was moving under the western part of an upper level ridge over the Central Pacific Ocean. The ridge was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Dora’s circulation. Those winds were causing the vertical wind shear to increase and the wind shear was causing Hurricane Dora to weaken.

There still was a small eye at the center of Hurricane Dora. 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 Dora’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Dora. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.8.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level ridge will continue to cause moderate to strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear will cause Hurricane Dora to weaken during the next 24 hours. Dora could weaken quickly even though it is over warm water, because it is such a small hurricane.

Hurricane Dora will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Dora could be east of Wake Island in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko Moves North of Wake Island

Tropical Storm Yamaneko moved north of Wake Island on Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Yamaneko was located at latitude 23.4°N and longitude 166.0°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) north of Wake Island. Yamaneko was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko moved farther north of Wake Island on Sunday. The distribution of thunderstorms in Yamaneko was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the far eastern part of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Bands in the rest of Yamaneko’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough southeast of Japan was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear was causing the upper part of Yamaneko’s circulation to tilt toward the northeast. The strong upper level winds were also blowing off the tops of thunderstorms that started to form near the center of Yamaneko and in the western part of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko will move through an environment that will cause it to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. Yamaneko will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26˚C. The upper level trough southeast of Japan will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. A combination of cooler water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Yamaneko to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Yamaneko toward the north-northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Yamaneko will pass far to the west of Midway Island in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko Forms Northwest of Wake Island

Tropical Storm Yamaneko formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Wake Island on Saturday afternoon. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Yamaneko was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 165.7°E which put it about 180 miles (295 km) north-northwest of Wake Island. Yamaneko was moving toward the north-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

An area of low pressure over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Wake Island strengthened on Saturday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Thunderstorms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and western side of the center of Yamaneko’s circulation. Other bands of thunderstorms were in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. Many of the bands in the western side of Yamaneko consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Yamaneko. The winds in the western side of Yamaneko were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Yamaneko will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Yamaneko will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough southeast of Japan will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Yamaneko’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent Yamaneko from getting a little stronger. Tropical Storm Yamaneko is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough southeast of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Yamaneko toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Yamaneko will move farther away from Wake Island.

Typhoon Muifa Moves Toward Eastern China

Typhoon Muifa moved toward eastern China on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 123.7°E which put it about 280 miles (450 km) south-southeast of Shanghai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Mauifa exhibited good organization on Tuesday morning. A circular eye was present at the center of Muifa. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The wind field around Typhoon Muifa way very symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.9. Typhoon Muifa was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 24 hours. The increase in wind shear and cooler water will cause Typhoon Muifa to weaken gradually.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa will make landfall on the east coast of China south of Shanghai in 18 hours. The center of Muifa could make landfall near Ningbo. Typhoon Muifa will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations in eastern China.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok strengthened north-northwest of Wake Island and Tropical Depression 16W also strengthened southwest of Iwo To. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 26.2N and longitude 162.7°E which put it about 500 miles (805 km) north-northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression 16W was located at latitude 22.6N and longitude 139.6°E which put it about 190 miles (310 km) southwest of Iwo To. The tropical depression was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Typhoon Muifa Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Muifa brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 25.2°N and longitude 124.0°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) north of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Muifa continued to bring wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Monday. The center of Typhoon Muifa was moving slowly away from Ishigakijima. The strongest winds were measured in Ishigakijima after the eye passed over. A weather station on Ishigakijima measured a sustained wind speed of 68 m.p.h. (109 km/h). The same weather station measured a surface pressure of 968.3 mb when the eye of Typhoon Muifa passed over it. The weather station measured 11.71 inches (297.5 mm) of rain during the passage of Muifa. Bands in the eastern side of Muifa’s circulation also dropped heavy rain over Miyakojima.

The circulation around Typhoon Muifa remained well organized on Monday. A circular eye was present at the center of Muifa’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 Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

Winds to typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Muifa. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.9. Muifa was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. However, an upper level trough over China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase during the next 36 hours. The increase in wind shear will cause Typhoon Muifa to start to weaken.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. The strong winds and locally heavy rain in the southern Ryukyu Islands will gradually diminish during the next 24 hours as Typhoon Muifa moves farther away. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could approach the east coast of China south of Shanghai in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok continued to strengthen northwest of Wake Island. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 162.8°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Eye of Typhoon Muifa Passes over Ishigakijima

The eye of Typhoon Muifa passed directly over Ishigakijima on Sunday night. A weather station on Ishigakijima measured a surface pressure of 968.3 mb. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) east of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Muifa developed two concentric eyewalls and began an eyewall replacement cycle as it slowly approached Ishigakijima on Sunday. The inner end of rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall and a larger outer eyewall surrounded them. Low level convergence became concentrated in the outer eyewall and the thunderstorms in the inner eyewall weakened. The remnants of the inner eyewall were visible on satellite images as a ring of showers and lower clouds. The outer eyewall had a diameter of 60 miles (95 km). The strongest winds were occurring in the outer eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Muifa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused Typhoon Muifa to weaken as it approached Ishigakijima. Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Muifa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.4. Typhoon Muifa was capable causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa 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 Muifa could intensify during the next 24 hours after the inner eyewall completely dissipates. Since Typhoon Muifa will move slowly, its winds could mix cooler water up to the surface of the ocean. Cooler water would limit potential intensification.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. Typhoon Muifa will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next 24 hours. The strongest winds and heaviest rain are likely to affect Ishigakijima. Gusty winds and locally heavy rain could also affect Miyakojima. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could approach the east coast of China near Shanghai in 60 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Merbok was slowly strengthening west-northwest of Wake Island. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Merbok was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 161.6°E which put it about 365 miles (595 km) west-northwest of Wake Island. Merbok was moving toward the east-northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.