Tropical Storm Nokaen moved nearer to the Philippines on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of the Tropical Storm Nokaen was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 126.7°E which put the center about 115 miles (185 km) east of Laoang, Philippines. Nokaen was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 997 mb.
Tropical Storm Nokaen strengthened on Friday morning as it moved closer to the Philippines. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Nokaen’s circulation. More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Nokaen. Bands in the eastern side of Nokaen’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Nokaen generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northwestern part of Tropical Storm Nokaen. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Nokaen’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Nokaen were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
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 continue to intensify 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, the center of Tropical Storm Nokaen will be near Samar on in 24 hours.
Bands in the western side of Nokaen’s circulation are already bringing gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Samar, Catanduanes Island, and southeastern Luzon. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.