Tropical Storm Podul passes south of Iwo To on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Podul was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 140.4°E which put the center about 230 miles (370 km) south of Iwo To.  Podul was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (17 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Podul was maintaining its intensity on Saturday as it passed south of Iwo To.  An upper level ridge over China and Japan was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Podul’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Podul to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Podul’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Podul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Podul was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Podul’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Podul will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Podul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China and Japan will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Podul could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Podul will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over 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 toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.