Tropical Storm Maria moved toward northern Honshu on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located at latitude 37.7°N and longitude 144.4°E which put the center about 235 miles (355 km) east-southeast of Sendai, Japan.  Maria was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Tropical Storm Maria exhibited more organization on Saturday night as it moved closer to northern Honshu.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Maria’s circulation.  A small circular eye appeared intermittently on satellite images.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Storm Maria.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Maria was more symmetrical on Saturday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center to Maria’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Maria will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Maria will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the eastern part of an upper level ridge over Japan.  The upper level winds are weak in that part of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Maria could intensify during the next 18 hours, but it is more likely that Maria will maintain its current intensity.

Tropical Storm Maria will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Maria toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Maria will approach the coast of northern Honshu in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Maria will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Honshu.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.