Tropical Storm Higos formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean near the Marianas on Monday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 145.1°E which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) south of Tinian. Higos was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 1005 mb.
Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.
A low pressure system near the Marianas strengthened on Monday evening and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Higos.
A weather station at the Saipan International Airport (PGSN) reported a sustained wind speed of 38 m.p.h. (61 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (96 km/h).
The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Higos was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Higos’ circulation. Bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Higos consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of HIgos began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.
The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Higos was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern half of Higos’ circulation. The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Higos were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Higos will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification. Higos 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 south of Japan. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Higos’ circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Higos could intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Higos 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 HIgos toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Higos will move gradually away from the Marianas.
Tropical Storm Higos will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Tinian and Saipan. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Mekkhala started to move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 125.1°E which put the center about 370 miles (595 km) south of Miyakojima, Japan. Mekkhala was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 943 mb.