Tropical Storm Linfa is moving steadily toward the coast of northern Luzon.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Linfa was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 123.9°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) east-northeast of Manila, Philippines.  Linfa was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 Linfa has a small circulation, but it appears to be intensifying quickly.  A circular area of strong thunderstorms has developed around the center of circulation and it is producing strong upper level outflow.  Linfa is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge northwest of the tropical storm is producing some vertical wind shear, but the shear does not seem to be enough to prevent intensification.  Linfa has about 18 hours to intensify before it reaches the coast of Luzon and it could attain typhoon intensity before it gets there.  Mountains in northern Luzon will disrupt the lowers levels of the circulation and Linfa will weaken after if makes landfall.

A subtropical ridge is steering Linfa toward the northwest and that steering pattern is expected to continue until the tropical storm makes landfall in northern Luzon.   Linfa will reach the western end of the subtropical ridge while it is over Luzon and if the circulation remains intact vertically, it will turn toward the north.  On its anticipated track Linfa will make landfall in northern Luzon in about 18 hours.  It is expected to eventually turn north toward Taiwan and the southern islands of Japan.  Linfa cold bring strong winds and locally heavy rainfall for parts of northern Luzon.  Heavy rainfall could contribute to flooding and mudslides in some locations.