Tropical Storm Nokaen developed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of the Tropical Storm Nokaen was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 128.8°E which put the center about 220 miles (335 km) east of Dinagat, Philippines. Nokaen was moving toward the northwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 998 mb.
A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Thursday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Nokaen.
Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Nokaen. Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western and northern parts of Nokaen’s circulation. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of Tropical Storm Nokaen consisted primarily of showers and thunderstorms. Storms near the center of Nokaen 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 winds speeds in Tropical Storm Nokaen was asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the northern half of Nokaen’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southern half of Tropical Storm Nokaen.
Tropical Storm Nokaen will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nokaen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Nokaen’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Nokaen could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Nokaen will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nokaen toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Nokaen will move closer to the central Philippines.
Bands in the western side of Nokaen’s circulation will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Samar, Cataduanes Island, and southeastern Luzon. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.