A distinct low level center of circulation was detected inside a large area of thunderstorms north of the Solomon Islands and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Raquel (25P).  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Raquel was located at latitude 6.5°S and longitude 158.9°E which put it about 210 miles (335 km) north of Honiara in the Solomon Islands.  Raquel was moving toward the southwest at 11 m.p.h. (18 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.

Raquel is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is quite warm and there is plenty of energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, and upper level ridge east of Raquel is northeasterly winds over the top of the circulation and it is creating moderate amounts of vertical wind shear.  The wind shear is causing many of the stronger thunderstorms to occur on the western side of the circulation.  The wind shear may be tilting the vertical structure of the circulation toward the southwest and it is limiting the potential for intensification.

As Raquel moves around the western end of the upper level ridge, it is expected to be steered toward the south on Wednesday.  On its anticipated track Raquel is expected to move across Santa Isabel on Wednesday.  It could be near Guadacanal in 36 to 48 hours.  Raquel is likely to bring some wind and locally heavy rain to parts of the central Solomon Islands during the next two days.