Tropical Storm Koto developed over the northern Sulu Sea on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Koto was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 119.5°E which put the center about 55 miles (90 km) northwest of Coron, Philippines.  Koto was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

A low pressure system over the northern Sulu Sea strengthened on Tuesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Koto.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Koto exhibited more organization on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Koto’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Koto.  Storms near the center of Koto generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Koto was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) in the northern side of Koto’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Koto.

Tropical Storm Koto will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Koto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Koto will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Koto will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Koto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Koto will move over northern Palawan.  Koto will move over the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Tropical Cyclone Palawan will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Palawan.  Koto will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to Busuanga Island, Culion Island, Linapacan Island and the Calamian Group of islands.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding in some locations.