Tropical Storm Krosa was still spinning over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan on Thursday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Krosa was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 141.9°E which put the center about 290 miles (465 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Krosa was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

The structure of Tropical Storm Krosa started to change on Thursday as it continued to spin over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of Krosa’s circulation.  A large circular eye appeared to be forming at the center of Krosa, even through Krosa was just a tropical storm.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Krosa.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Krosa was relatively small for a tropical storm southeast of Japan.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Krosa’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Krosa will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krosa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level low that is southeast of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the center of the upper level low and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the upper level low will inhibit upper level divergence.  In addition, Krosa’s circulation is surrounded by drier air.  Tropical Storm Krosa could intensify during the next 24 hours in spite of the effects of the upper level low and the drier air.

Tropical Storm Krosa will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Krosa toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Krosa could pass to the east of Tokyo on Friday.