Category Archives: Western North Pacific

Western Pacific Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Dolphin Rapidly Intensifies to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Dolphin rapidly intensified to a typhoon on Monday night as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Wake Island.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 171.2°E which put the center about 535 miles (860 km) southeast of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Dolphin rapidly intensified to a typhoon on Monday night.  A very small circular eye formed at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Dolphin was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane later today.  Dolphin is likely to intensify to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale by Thursday.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will pass be south of Wake Island on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Dolphin Forms West of the Date Line

Tropical Storm Dolphin formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the International Date Line on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 174.6°E which put the center about 690 miles (1115 km) east-southeast of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 998 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Wake Island strengthened early on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolphin.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolphin was strengthening on Monday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were blowing on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolphin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Dolphin’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Dolphin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin will be south of Wake Island in 48 hours.

Typhoon Noul Hits Near Hong Kong

The center of Typhoon Noul hit the coast of China just to the northeast of Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Noul was located at latitude 22.7°N and longitude 114.8°E which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) east of Hong Kong.  Noul was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 Noul continued to intensify until it made landfall on the coast of China just to the northeast of Hong Kong.  Typhoon Noul was the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale at the time it made landfall.

A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Typhoon Noul when Noul made landfall.  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 Noul’s circulation.

The distribution of wind speeds around Typhoon Noul was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Noul’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Typhoon Noul.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Noul was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.1.  Typhoon Noul was capable of causing regional serious damage.

Typhoon Noul will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Guangdong, southern Fujian, and Jiangxi.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Typhoon Noul could cause a storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) along parts of the coast of southeastern China.

Typhoon Noul will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Noul toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Noul will move inland over eastern Guangdong and Jiangxi.

Noul Intensifies to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Noul intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Hong Kong on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Noul was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 117.8°E which put the center about 285 miles (455 km) east-southeast of Hong Kong.  Noul was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 980 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Noul intensified to a typhoon on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Noul’s circulation.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Noul.  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 Noul.  Storms near the core of Noul generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speed around Typhoon Noul was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Noul’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Typhoon Noul.

Typhoon Noul will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Noul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is centered over eastern China.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Noul will intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Noul will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Noul toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Noul will make landfall on the coast of southeastern China northeast of Hong Kong in 15 hours.

Typhoon Noul will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Guangdong, southern Fujian, and Jiangxi.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Noul could cause a storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) along parts of the coast of southeastern China.

Tropical Storm Noul Forms East of Northern Luzon

Tropical Storm Noul formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon on Thursday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Noul was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 124.4°E which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Noul was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon strengthened on Thursday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Noul.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Storm Noul.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western half of Noul’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Noul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storm near the center of Noul began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Noul was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the southern side of Noul’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Noul.

Tropical Storm Noul will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Noul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is centered east of China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Noul’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Noul will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Noul is likely to strengthen to a typhoon by the weekend.

Tropical Storm Noul will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Noul toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Noul will pass south of Taiwan on Friday.  Noul is likely to hit southeastern China during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Noul will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.  Noul will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Tropical Storm Noul is likely to be a typhoon when it hits southeastern China.

Typhoon Bavi Hits Eastern China

Typhoon Bavi hit the east coast of China near Wenzhou on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 28.1°N and longitude 121.2°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) east of Wenzhou, China.  Bavi was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 952 mb.

The center of Typhoon Bavi made landfall on the east coast of China east of Wenzhou on Saturday.  Typhoon Bavi was the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale at the time of landfall.

The strongest winds were blowing in the eastern side of Typhoon Bavi which was still over the East China Sea.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of Bavi’s circulation.  Wind to tropical storm force extended out 345 miles (555 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 24.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 38.8.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Sandy when Sandy hit the east coast of the U.S. in 2012.  Typhoon Bavi is a little smaller than Sandy was.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Bavi will continue to move inland over Zhejiang.  The center of Bavi’s circulation will pass west of Shanghai on Sunday.

Typhoon Bavi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang during the next few hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Bavi could also cause a storm surge of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) along parts of the east coast of China.

Typhoon Bavi will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland over eastern China.  Even so, Typhoon Bavi will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to Jiangsu as it moves farther to the north on Sunday.

Typhoon Bavi Brings Wind and Rain to Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Bavi brought wind and rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 124.1°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) east-northeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Bavi was moving toward the north-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 953 mb.

A weather station in Ishigakijima Island reported at sustained wind speed of 49 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  A weather station in Nakasuji, Japan reported a sustained wind speed of 53 m.p.h. (85 km/h).

Typhoon Bavi strengthened a little as it approached the southern Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Concentric eyewalls appeared for a time on radar images from the Japan Meteorological Agency.  A small inner eye and eyewall was surrounded by a much larger outer eyewall that was a remnant from the last eyewall replacement cycle.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Typhoon Bavi continued to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring mostly in bands in the southern half of Bavi’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Typhoon Bavi consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bavi generated more upper level divergence.  The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Friday.

Typhoon Bavi continued to be a very large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 370 miles (595 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 48.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 62.1.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Sandy when Sandy hit the east coast of the U.S. in 2012.

Typhoon Bavi will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Bavi 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 Bavi will move through a region of drier air that is near eastern of Chin.a  The drier air will inhibit intensification.  Typhoon Bavi could maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Bavi will reach the east coast of China near Wenzhou in 12 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Zhejiang.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Bavi could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the east coast of China.

Typhoon Bavi Approaches Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Bavi was approaching the southern Ryukyu Islands on Thursday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 126.9°E which put the center about 360 miles (580 km) southeast of Ishigakijima, Japan.  Bavi was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 964 mb.

Typhoon Bavi weakened on Thursday when it moved into a region of drier air that was east of Taiwan.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in the northern half of Bavi’s circulation to dissipate.  Bands in the northern side of Typhoon Bavi consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern half of Bavi’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Bavi generated less upper level divergence.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure continued to increase on Thursday.

The inner end of a rainband was wrapping back around the southern and eastern sides of the center of Typhoon Bavi on Thursday evening.  A new small eye appeared to be developing at the center of Bavi’s circulation.

Even though Typhoon Bavi weakened on Thursday, it continued to be a very large typhoon.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 370 miles (595 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 57.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 70.2.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Sandy when Sandy hit the east coast of the U.S. in 2012.  Typhoon Bavi is larger than Hurricane Sandy was.

Typhoon Bavi will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bavi 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 Bavi will continue to move through a region of drier air that is east of Taiwan.  The drier air will inhibit intensification, but drier air may have less of an effect on Friday.  Typhoon Bavi could intensify during the next 24 hours, especially if a new eye and eyewall develop at the center of Bavi’s circulation.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Bavi will reach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 18 hours.  The center of Bavi will be near northeastern Taiwan in 24 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands and to Taiwan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Bavi could cause a storms surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of the southern Ryukyu Islands and northern Taiwan.

Typhoon Bavi Moves Toward Southern Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Bavi continued to move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 129.6°E which put the center about 605 miles (975 km) southeast of Ishigakijima, Japan.  Bavi was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 944 mb.

The cumulative effects of multiple eyewall replacement cycles caused Typhoon Bavi to weaken on Wednesday.  The most recent inner eyewall weakened and a much larger eye with a diameter of 70 miles (110 km) formed at the center of Bavi’s circulation.  The large 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 revolved around the center of Typhoon Bavi.  Storms near the center of Bavi generated less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased again on Wednesday.

The effects of the multiple eyewall replacement cycles also created a very large circulation around typhoon Bavi.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 335 miles (540 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 54.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 78.5.  Typhoon Bavi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Katrina when Katrina hit Mississippi in 2005.  Typhoon Bavi is much larger than Katrina was.

Typhoon Bavi will move through an environment that will be somewhat unfavorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Bavi 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.  However, Typhoon Bavi will move into a region of drier air that is east of Taiwan.  The drier air will inhibit the formation of new thunderstorms in the northwestern part of Bavi’s circulaiton.  Typhoon Bavi is likely to weaken slowly during the next 24 hours because of the drier air and the lingering effects of the eyewall replacement cycles.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bavi will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 36 hours.  The center of Bavi will be near northeastern Taiwan in 48 hours.

Typhoon Bavi will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands and to Taiwan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Bavi could cause a storms surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) along the coast of the southern Ryukyu Islands and northern Taiwan.

Typhoon Bavi Churns West

Typhoon Bavi continued to churn westward toward the southern Ryukyu Islands on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Bavi was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 134.7°E which put the center about 975 miles (1575 km) east-southeast of Ishigakijima, Japan.  Bavi was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 927 mb.

Typhoon Bavi completed another eyewall replacement cycle on Tuesday.  An circular eye with a diameter of 45 miles (75 km) was at the center of Bavi’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 revolved around the center of Typhoon Bavi.  Storms near the center of Bavi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Tuesday.

There was a large circulation around Typhoon Bavi.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Bavi’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Typhoon Bavi.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bavi is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 37.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 69.5. Typhoon Bavi is similar in intensity to Hurricane Laura when Laura hit Southwest Louisiana in 2020.  Typhoon Bavi is much larger than Laura was.

Typhoon Bavi will more through an environment that will be favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Bavi 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 Bavi could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless another eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Bavi will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bavi toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Bavi will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan in less than 72 hours.