Tropical Cyclone Jasper intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Coral Sea on Tuesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper was located at latitude 11.0°S and longitude 157.3°E which put it about 205 miles (330 km) west-southwest of Honiara, Guadacanal. Jasper was moving toward the south-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Coral Sea on Tuesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Jasper’s circulation. An eye was visible on satellite images at the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. A thin ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Jasper’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 10 miles (15 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Jasper’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Jasper will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are ridge weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will intensify during the next 36 hours. Jasper could intensify rapidly after the eye and eyewall are fully developed. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will very likely strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jasper toward the southwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Jasper will move away from the Solomon Islands. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in the Solomon Islands until it moves away. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Jasper could approach the coast of Queensland, Australia in a few days.