Typhoon Nangka intensified rapidly into a strong typhoon on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Nanga was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 155.0°E which put it about 670 miles (1080 km) east-southeast of Saipan.  Nangka was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (180 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Nangka is very well organized with a strong ring of thunderstorms surrounding a circular eye.  The typhoon is over an area where the Sea Surface Temperature is around 28°C to 29°C.  The upper level winds are relatively light and there appear to outflow channels to the northeast and southwest which are transporting mass away from the center of circulation.  The surface pressure is decreasing rapidly and the wind speeds are increasing quickly.  Nangka is in an environment that is very favorable for further intensification and it could become a very powerful typhoon.

A subtropical ridge is steering Nangka toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Nangka could approach the northern Mariana Islands in about 48 to 72 hours.