Tropical Storm Surigae formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Surigae was located at latitude 18.4°N and longitude 133,7°E which put the center about 700 miles (1130 km) southeast of Okinawa. Surigae was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1004 mb.
A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands strengthened on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Surigae.
More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Storm Surigae. Storms were also developing in bands in the northern side of Surigae’s circulation. The bands in the southern side of Tropical Storm Surigae consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Surigae generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Storm Surigae. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Surigae’s circulation. The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Surigae were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Surigae will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Surigae will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Surigae will intensify during the next 24 hours. Surigae is likely to strengthen to a typhoon by the weekend.
Tropical Storm Surigae 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 Surigae toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Surigae will move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.