Tropical Storm Trami formed east of the Philippines on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 127.0°E which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) east of Virac, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Monday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Trami.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Trami was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Trami’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Trami consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Trami’s circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Trami was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Trami will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Trami will approach northern Luzon in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Luzon.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.