Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Tropical Storm Nepartak Strengthens East of Tokyo

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Tropical Storm Nepartak strengthened east of Tokyo on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was located at latitude 35.4°N and longitude 142.3°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east of Tokyo, Japan. Nepartak was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Nepartak exhibited a structure a little more like a tropical cyclone on Monday night. Nepartak was embedded in the center of an upper level low. The center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was under the center of the upper level low and the circulation assumed a more circular shape. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Nepartak. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western side of Nepartak.

Tropical Storm Nepartak will move through an environment capable of supporting a tropical storm during the next 18 hours. Nepartak will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. Since Tropical Storm Nepartak is embedded at the center of an upper level low, the winds are blowing from the same direction at all levels in the troposphere. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Nepartak will likely maintain its intensity during the next 18 hours and it could strengthen a little more.

The upper level low and Tropical Storm Nepartak are forecast to drift toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Nepartak could make landfall on the northern coast of Honshu near Sendai in about 18 hours. Tropical Storm Nepartak will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Honshu. Nepartak already generated waves along the coast of Honshu and some Olympic events at coastal sites were postponed.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm In-Fa continued to drop heavy rain over parts of eastern China. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 119.5°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Shanghai, China. In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 982 mb.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Makes Landfall near Shanghai

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Tropical Storm In-Fa made landfall on the east coast of China near Shanghai on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 121.4°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south of Shanghai, China. In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 987 mb.

Tropical Storm In-Fa weakened slowly as it approached the east coast of China. The circulation around In-Fa pulled drier air from Asia into the western side of the former typhoon. The drier air caused thunderstorms in the western half of Tropical Storm In-Fa to weaken. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the eastern side of In-Fa. Bands in the western half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (270 km) on the eastern side of In-Fa. The strongest winds were occurring over the waters of the East China Sea. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles on the western side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm In-Fa will move slowly toward the northwest, which will take it farther inland over eastern China. The circulation around In-Fa will weaken gradually as the tropical storm moves farther inland. Tropical Storm In-Fa will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai and Ningbo. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Nepartak swirled southwest of Japan. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Nepartak was located at latitude 33.4°N and longitude 149.7°E which put it about 630 miles (1015 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan. Nepartak was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 998 mb.

Typhoon In-Fa Brings Wind and Rain to Ryukyu Islands

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Typhoon In-Fa brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands on Friday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon In-Fa was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 124.9°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Hirara, Japan. In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 969 mb.

The slow movement of Typhoon In-Fa during the past several days and its large size caused In-Fa to mix cooler water to the surface in a large area. The cooler water meant that In-Fa extracted less energy from the ocean and thunderstorms weakened in parts of the circulation around the typhoon. There was still a large circular eye with a diameter of of 65 miles (105 km) at the center of Typhoon In-Fa. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in the broken ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms continued to revolve around the center of In-Fa. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon In-Fa was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of In-Fa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 270 miles (435 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon In-Fa was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 31.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.2.

Typhoon In-Fa will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Once the center of In-Fa moves away from the cooler water mixed to the surface, the typhoon 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. The large size of Typhoon In-Fa will mean that intensification could be slow to occur. Typhoon In-Fa could strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon In-Fa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high will steer In-Fa toward the northwest. On its anticipated track Typhoon In-Fa will move slowly away from the Ryukyu Islands. Since the circulation around In-Fa is so large, the typhoon will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain for another 24 hours. The center of Typhoon In-Fa could approach the east coast of China south of Ningbo in 48 hours.

Typhoon In-Fa Churns Southeast of Ishigaki

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Typhoon In-Fa churned southeast of Ishigaki, Japan on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon In-Fa was located at latitude 23.7°N and longitude 125.8°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 957 mb.

Typhoon In-Fa went through an eyewall replacement cycle as it moved slowly toward the southwestern Ryukyu Islands on Thursday. The inner end of an rainband wrapped completely around the original eye and eyewall. Two concentric eyewalls existed simultaneously for a time on Wednesday. Low level convergence became concentrated in the newer, outer eyewall and the inner eyewall dissipated. The eyewall replacement cycle left a much larger eye with a diameter of 65 miles (105 km) at the center of Typhoon In-Fa. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the new, larger eye. Storms near the eye generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon In-Fa was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of In-Fa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon In-Fa was 16.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 27.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.9 .

Typhoon In-Fa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. In-Fa 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 In-Fa has moved little during the past 12 hours and it has mixed cooler water to the surface. Once In-Fa starts to move a little faster, the core of the typhoon will move back over warmer water. Typhoon In-Fa is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours and it could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon In-Fa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high will steer In-Fa toward the northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon In-Fa will be near the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in 18 hours. In-Fa will be capable of causing widespread serious damage. It will also cause a significant storm surge. Typhoon In-Fa will drop heavy rain and flash floods are likely. The core of In-Fa could be northeast of Taiwan in 36 hours. In-Fa will also drop heavy rain on parts of northern Taiwan and flash floods are likely there as well.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Cempaka continued to meander over southern China. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Cempaka was located at latitude 21.9°N and longitude 107.8°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) north of Mong Cai, Vietnam. Cempaka was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1003 mb.

Typhoon In-Fa Moves Toward Southwestern Ryukyu Islands

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Typhoon In-Fa moved toward the southwestern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon In-Fa was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 126.5°E which put it about 155 miles (250 km) east-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. In-Fa was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

Typhoon In-Fa moved closer to the southwestern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday. In-Fa was a large, powerful typhoon. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Typhoon In-Fa. The eye was nearly surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. There was a break in the eastern side of the ring around the eye. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon In-Fa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon In-Fa was large. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of In-Fa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon In-Fa was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.3.

Typhoon In-Fa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. In-Fa 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 In-Fa is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon In-Fa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high will steer In-Fa toward the west. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon In-Fa will be near the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in 36 hours. In-Fa will be capable of causing widespread major damage. It will also cause a significant storm surge. Typhoon In-Fa will drop heavy rain and flash floods are likely. The core of In-Fa could be northeast of Taiwan in 60 hours. In-Fa will also drop heavy rain on parts of Taiwan and flash floods are likely there as well.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Cempaka was moving over southern China. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Cempaka was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 110.3°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) east of Yulin, China. Cempaka was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1003 mb.

Typhoon Cempaka Makes Landfall in Southern China

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Typhoon Cempaka made landfall in southern China on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Cempaka was located at latitude 21.8°N and longitude 111.9°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) south of Yangjiang, China. Cempaka was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Typhoon Cempaka made landfall on the coast of southern China just to the south of Yangjiang in the province of Guangdong on Tuesday. Cempaka brought strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southwestern part of Guangdong. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Cempaka at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Cempaka will weaken rapidly as the center moves inland. However, since Cempaka will move slowly, it could drop heavy rain over the southwestern part of Guangdong province. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm In-Fa intensified to a typhoon south-southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon In-Fa was located at latitude 24.5°N and longitude 128.7°E which put it about 150 miles (245 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb. Typhoon In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane. The center of In-Fa will pass south of Okinawa during the next 24 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours and near northern Taiwan in three days.

Cempaka Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Hong Kong

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Former Tropical Storm Cempaka strengthened to a typhoon southwest of Hong Kong on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Cempaka was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 112.4°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) southwest of Hong Kong. Cempaka was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 978 mb.

The small circulation around former Tropical Storm Cempaka strengthened quickly on Monday. A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Cempaka. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Cempaka. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Cempaka. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Cempaka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Cempaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will remain under an upper level ridge over the South China Sea. The winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Cempaka could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Cempaka will move south of a surface high pressure system over eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Cempaka slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cempaka could approach the south coast of China near Yangjiang in about 12 hours. Cempaka will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast of Guangdong province. Since Cempaka will move very slowly some locations could receive extremely heavy rainfall and flash floods are likely in those places. Typhoon Cempaka could also produce of storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm In-Fa stalled southeast of Okinawa. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 130.9°E which put it about 265 miles (425 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 983 mb. Tropical Storm In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to a typhoon. In-Fa could be south of Okinawa in 30 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in 72 hours and near northern Taiwan in less than four days.

Tropical Storm Cempaka Forms Southwest of Hong Kong

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Tropical Storm Cempaka formed southwest of Hong Kong on Sunday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Cempaka was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 113.0°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) southwest of Hong Kong. Cempaka was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 991 mb.

The circulation around a small low pressure system organized quickly on Sunday evening and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Cempaka. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Cempaka and an eye appeared to be forming in the middle of the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Cempaka. Storm near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles from the center of Cempaka.

Tropical Storm Cempaka will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Cempaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C during the next 24 hours. It will move under an upper level ridge over the South China Sea. The winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Cempaka will intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Cempaka will move south of a surface high pressure system over eastern China. The high pressure system will steer Cempaka slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cempaka could approach the south coast of China near Yangjiang in about 24 hours. Cempaka could be a typhoon when it approaches the coast. It will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the coast of Guangdong province. Cempaka could also produce of storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm In-Fa strengthened southeast of Okinawa. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 131.3°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 986 mb. Tropical Storm In-Fa is forecast to move toward the west during the next several days and to intensify to a typhoon. In-Fa could be south of Okinawa in 36 hours. It could be over the southwestern Ryukyu Islands in three days and near northern Taiwan in four days.

Tropical Storm In-Fa Forms Southeast of Okinawa

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Tropical Storm In-Fa formed southeast of Okinawa on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm In-Fa was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 132.3°E which put it about 420 miles (675 km) southeast of Okinawa. In-Fa was moving toward the north-northwest 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 998 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system southeast of Okinawa exhibited more organization on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm In-Fa. The distribution of thunderstorms around In-Fa was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm In-Fa. Bands on the western side of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level low centered west of Japan was producing westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of In-Fa. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were also contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm In-Fa will move into an environment that is forecast to become more favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. In-Fa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C during the next two days. The upper level low west of Japan is forecast to move toward the north. When the upper low moves north, the upper level winds around In-Fa will weaken and the vertical wind shear will decrease. Tropical Storm In-Fa is likely to strengthen during the next 48 hours. When the upper level winds weaken, In-Fa could intensify more quickly. Tropical Storm In-Fa could strengthen to a typhoon within 72 hours.

Tropical Storm In-Fa will move south of a surface high pressure system centered southeast of Japan on Sunday. The high will steer In-Fa toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. A second surface high pressure system over eastern Asia is forecast to move north of Tropical Storm In-Fa on Monday. The second high pressure system will steer In-Fa more toward the west early next week. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm In-Fa could approach Okinawa in 60 hours. In-Fa could bring wind and rain to the southwestern Ryukyu Islands. In-Fa could eventually affect Taiwan and eastern China later next week.

Typhoon Champi Brings Wind and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) west of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 982 mb.

Bands of showers and thunderstorms on the eastern side of Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. Although the center of Champi was passing west of Iwo To, the circulation around the typhoon was producing gusty winds and rain over the island. The core of Typhoon Champi was passing west of Iwo To. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Champi. However, winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Champi will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan. The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Champi could maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours. The vertical wind shear will increase on Saturday, when Champi moves closer to the upper level trough. Typhoon Champi will weaken when the shear increases. Champi will also move over cooler water by Sunday.

The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Champi toward the northeast during the weekend. On its anticipated track Champi will move away from Iwo To on Saturday. Typhoon Champi could be southeast of Tokyo in 30 hours.