Former Tropical Storm Muifa intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Muifa was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 125.8°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south-southeast of Ishigaki, Japan. Muifa was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Muifa strengthened over the warm water in the Western North Pacific Ocean on Friday and it intensified to a typhoon south of the southern Ryukyu Islands. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of circulation. A small eye appeared to be developing at the center of Typhoon Muifa. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Muifa’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extend out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Muifa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Muifa will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Muifa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Muifa could be south of Ishigakijima in 36 hours. Muifa could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.