Former Tropical Storm Sinlaku rapidly intensified to a typhoon southeast of Guam on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Sinlaku was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 151.5°E which put the center about 575 miles (930 km) southeast of Guam. Sinlaku was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.
Former Tropical Storm Sinlaku rapidly intensified to a typhoon on Friday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation. A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of Typhoon Sinlaku. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation. Storms near the center of Sinlaku generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The size of the circulation around Typhoon Sinlaku increased on Friday as Sinlaku rapidly intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Sinlaku’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Typhoon Sinlaku.
Typhoon Sinlaku will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sinlaku 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. Typhoon Sinlaku will intensify during the next 24 hours. Sinlaku could continue to intensify rapidly. Typhoon Sinlaku is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.
Typhoon Sinlaku will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sinlaku toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Sinlaku will move toward the southern Marianas. Sinlaku will approach Guam in less than three days.
Typhoon Sinlaku will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain over Chuuk before it moves farther away on Saturday. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
Typhoon Sinlaku will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Guam. Sinlaku could bring very strong winds and locally heavy rain to Guam. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.