Tropical Storm Mitag developed over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 116.5°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong strengthened on Thursday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency  designated the system as Tropical Storm Mitag.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag continued to get better organized on Thursday morning.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Mitag’s circulation.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mitag.  Bands in the western side of Mitag’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mitag.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the eastern side of Mitag’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Mitag were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mitag will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over eastern China and the South China Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Mitag will intensity during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will be near Hong Kong in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mitag will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa formed east of Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri formed southeast of Japan.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 132.7°E which put the center about 755 miles (1220 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 162.5°E which put the center about 1630 miles (2630 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.