Tropical Storm Guchol intensified over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Guchol was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 132.8°E which put it about 715 miles (1155 km) south of Minamidiatojima, Japan. Guchol was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Guchol intensified over the warm water in the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas on Wednesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Guchol’s circulation and an eye appeared to be forming at the center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Guchol. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Guchol.

Tropical Storm Guchol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Guchol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Guchol will intensify during the next 36 hours. Guchol could strengthen to a typhoon within 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Guchol will move around the western part of high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Guchol toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Guchol will move farther away from the Marianas. Guchol could be south of Minamidaitojima in four days.