Tropical Storm Podul formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean north of Saipan on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Podul was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 145.9°E which put the center about 290 miles (470 km) north of Saipan.  Podul 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 1003 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean north of Saipan strengthened on Thursday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Podul.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Podul was small.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands south and east of the center of Podul’s circulation.  Bands in the rest of Tropical Storm Podul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Podul started to generate upper level divergence that was beginning to pump mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Podul were occurring in the thunderstorms southeast of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Podul’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Podul were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Podul will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Podul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.   It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Podul’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Podul will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Podul is likely to strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Podul will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Podul toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Podul will move away from the Marianas.  Podul could approach Taiwan in a few days.