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Tropical Depression 13E Strengthens to Tropical Storm Lester, Mexico Issues Warning

Former Tropical Depression Thirteen-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Lester south of Mexico on Friday morning and the government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the coast. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Lester was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 96.1°W which put it about 160 miles (255 km) south of Puerto Angel, Mexico. Lester was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1005 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Warning included Acapulco. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Laguna de Chacahua, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect from Zihuatanejo to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression Thirteen-E strengthened on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center upgraded it to Tropical Storm Lester. Even though former Tropical Depression Thirteen-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Lester, the distribution of thunderstorms continued to be asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Lester’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southern half of Lester’s circulation. The winds in the northern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lester will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Lester will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Lester likely to strengthen gradually during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Lester will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Lester toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lester will approach the southwest coast of Mexico on Saturday morning. Lester will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Guerrero. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Typhoon Nanmadol Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Nanmadol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane south of Japan during Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 535 miles (860 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 947 mb.

Typhoon Nanmadol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan during Thursday night. A well formed circular eye was present at the center of Nanmadol’s circulation. 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 Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

The circulation around Typhoon Nanmadol was symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Nanmadol was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.2. Typhoon Nanmadol was capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nanmadol 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 Nanmadol will intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That would be the start of an eyewall replacement cycle that would cause Nanmadol to weaken.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward then northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Nanmadol will be east of Minami Daito Jima within 24 hours. Nanmadol could be east of Amami Oshima in 36 hours. Typhoon Nanmadol will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the northern Ryukyu Islands during the weekend.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Muifa weakened over the northern Yellow Sea. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 38.5°N and longitude 121.8°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Yantai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 Depression Forms South of Mexico, Watch Issued

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Thursday and the government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the coast. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen-E was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 95.6°W which put it about 215 miles (345 km) south-southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico. The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 1007 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Laguna de Chacahua to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Watch includes Acapulco.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean strengthened on Thursday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Thirteen-E. Tropical Depression Thirteen-E had a well defined low level center of circulation but the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the tropical depression. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Depression Thirteen-E is likely to strengthen gradually during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Thirteen-E will approach the southwest coast of Mexico on Saturday morning. It is likely to be a tropical storm when it approaches the coast.

Tropical Storm Fiona Prompts Watch for Puerto Rico

The potential effects of Tropical Storm Fiona prompted the issuance of Tropical Storm Watches for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Thursday afternoon. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the northern Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 55.4°W which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Fiona 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.

Tropical Storm Fiona continued to be affected by strong vertical wind shear on Thursday afternoon. The center of Fiona was surrounded by a swirl of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern edge of Fiona’s circulation. Tropical Storm Fiona was under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge was producing westerly winds that were blowing across the top of Fiona’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that start to develop. The vertical wind shear was causing the low level circulation around Tropical Storm Fiona to look a little less organized. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Fiona’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, the upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could weaken if the upper level winds get stronger. The upper level winds could be weaker when Fiona moves over the northeastern Caribbean Sea during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. Fiona could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Fiona could be southeast of Puerto Rico by Saturday evening.

Tropical Storm Fiona Prompts Warnings for Leeward Islands

A potential threat posed by Tropical Storm Fiona prompted the issuance of Tropical Storm Warnings for some of the Leeward Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 54.3°W which put it about 495 miles (800 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Fiona was moving toward the west 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Anguilla. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy.

Tropical Storm Fiona was being affected by strong vertical wind shear on Thursday morning. The center of Fiona was surrounded by a swirl of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern edge of Fiona’s circulation. Tropical Storm Fiona was under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge was producing westerly winds that were blowing across the top of Fiona’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that start to develop. In spite of the vertical wind shear, the low level circulation around Tropical Storm Fiona was still well organized. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Fiona’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, the upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could weaken if the upper level winds get stronger. The upper level winds could be weaker when Fiona moves over the northeastern Caribbean Sea during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. Fiona could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Fiona could be southeast of Puerto Rico by Saturday evening.

Nanmadol Strengthens to a Typhoon South of Japan

Former Tropical Storm Nanmadol strengthened to a typhoon south of Japan on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 137.5°E which put it about 660 miles (1065 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the west-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 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Nanmadol intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Thursday morning. A circular eye formed at the center of Nanmadol’s circulation. 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 Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation in the northern side of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Nanmadol 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 Nanmadol will intensify during the next 36 hours. It is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward then northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nanmadol could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Nanmadol is likely to be a large, dangerous typhoon when it moves near the north Ryukyu Islands.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Muifa weakened over the Yellow Sea and Typhoon Merbok was transitioning to a powerful extratropical cyclone south of the western Aleutian Islands. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 34.6°N and longitude 120.3°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Qingdao, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Merbok was located at latitude 41.0°N and longitude 166.0°E which put it about 890 miles (1435 km) south-southwest of Kiska, Alaska. Merbok was moving toward the north-northeast at 45 m.p.h. (75 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 960 mb.

TD 7 Strengthens to Tropical Storm Fiona, Watches Issued for Leeward Islands

Former Tropical Depression Seven strengthened to Tropical Storm Fiona on Wednesday evening and Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the Leeward Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 52.0°W which put it about 650 miles (1045 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Fiona was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Anguilla.

Remotely sensed data gathered by satellites indicated that the circulation around former Tropical Depression Seven had strengthened on Wednesday evening and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Fiona. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Fiona was asymmetric. Almost all of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fiona’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the eastern half of the circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fiona. The winds in the western half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fiona’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could intensify if the upper level winds weaken.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. Fiona could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands.

Typhoon Muifa Brings Wind and Rain to Eastern China

Typhoon Muifa brought wind and rain to eastern China on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 31.8°N and longitude 121.5°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) east of Shanghai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 978 mb.

Typhoon Muifa brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of eastern China near Shanghai on Wednesday afternoon. The center of Typhoon Muifa made an initial landfall on the east coast of China southeast of Shanghai near Ningbo. Although Muifa was weakening at the time it made landfall, the northern part of the eyewall was still intact. The strongest winds and heaviest rain were occurring in that part of the eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also revolving around the center of Typhoon Muifa. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Muifa’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa will move along the east coast of China. Muifa will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain as it moves along the coast. Heavy rain could fall over coastal areas of Jiangsu and Shandong. Heavy could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Merbok was moving quickly toward the far western Aleutian Islands and Tropical Storm Nanmadol was strengthening southwest of Iwo To. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Merbok was located at latitude 35.5N and longitude 163.2°E which put it about 1355 miles (2185 km) south-southwest of Kiska, Alaska. Merbok was moving toward the north at 23 m.p.h. (37 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 981 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Strm Nanmadol was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Iwo To. Nanmadol was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 984 mb.

Tropical Depression Seven Forms East of the Leeward Islands

Tropical Depression Seven formed east of the Leeward Islands on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Seven was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 49.6°W which put it about 805 miles (1300 km) east of the Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (13 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 1009 mb.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Leeward Islands strengthened on Wednesday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Seven. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Depression Seven was asymmetric. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the tropical depression. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the eastern half of the circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Seven will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Depression Seven is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression Seven will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Seven could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. It could be a tropical storm when it approaches those islands.

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.