Typhoon Dolphin rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Wake Island.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 170.3°E which put the center about 490 miles (790 km) southeast of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (2350 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Tuesday morning.  A very small circular eye was present at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Dolphin was small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°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 Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will pass south of Wake Island on Wednesday.