Typhoon Fung-wong intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of the Philippines on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Typhoon Fung-wong was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 190 miles (305 km) east of Daet, Philippines.  Fung-wong was moving toward the west-northwest at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

A circular eye was present at the center of Fung-wong’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolving around the core of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Fung-wong was very large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the northern half of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern side of Typhoon Fung-wong.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 375 miles (605 km) in the northern side of Fung-wong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Fung-wong.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Fung-wong is 23.6.  The Hurricane Size index (HSI) is 37.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) 60.9.  Typhoon Fung-wong is similar in intensity to Hurricane Katrina when Katrina hit Mississippi in 2005.  Fung-wong is larger than Katrina was.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Fung-wong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is east of the Philippines.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is drier air to the north and west of Typhoon Fung-wong.  However, that drier air is not likely to be pulled into the typhoon during the next 12 hours.  Typhoon Fung-wong could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fung-wong toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Fung-wong will hit northern Luzon in 18 hours.

Typhoon Fung-wong will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Luzon.  Fung-wong will bring strong, gusty winds and very heavy rain to Luzon.  Heavy rain will cause widespread flash floods.  Typhoon Fung-wong could also cause a storm surge of up to 14 fee (4 meters) along portions of the coast of Luzon.