Typhoon Goni turned north-northeastward and began moving toward western Japan on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Goni was located at latitude 22.7°N and longitude 123.4°E which put it about 270 miles (435 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan and about 410 miles (660 km) southwest of Okinawa.  Goni was moving toward the north-northeast at 11 m.p.h. (18 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 967 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Goni continues to be well organized.  It has a small eye with a fairly continuous eyewall surrounding it.  There are multiple spiral bands and the strongest band is about 60 miles east of the center of circulation.  There is upper level divergence pumping out mass.  Goni is moving over warm Sea Surface Temperatures and the upper level winds are relatively light.  The environment is favorable for intensification and modest intensification is possible during the next day or so.

Goni is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the north-northeast.  That steering pattern is expected to continue for another two or three days.  On its anticipated track Goni will be near Ishigaki Jima in about 12 hours.  It could be just west of Okinawa in about 30 hours and it could be approaching Kyushu in about 48 hours.  Goni will bring strong winds and heavy rains to any places in its path.