Tropical Storm Hagupit was approaching Yap on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Hagupit was located at latitude 8.6°N and longitude 139.5°E which put the center about 145 miles (230 km) east-southeast of Yap. Hagupit was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.
Tropical Storm Hagupit was intensifying as it approached Yap on Thursday night. More thunderstorms were developing near the center of Hagupit’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Hagupit. Storms near the center of Hagupit generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
Even though Tropical Storm Hagupit was intensifying, the distribution of wind speeds continued to be asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the northern side of Hagupit’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Hagupit were blowing at less that tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Hagupit will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hagupit will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hagupit’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Hagupit will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Hagupit will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Hagupit toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Hagupit will reach Yap within 12 hours.
Tropical Storm Hagupit will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Yap. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Storm Hagupit could cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) along the coast of Yap.