Former Tropical Storm Surigae strengthened to a typhoon on Friday night as it moved south of Okinawa. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Surigae was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 126,8°E which put the center about 255 miles (415 km) south-southwest of Okinawa. Surigae was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.
Former Tropical Storm Surigae strengthened to a typhoon on Friday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Typhoon Surigae. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Surigae’s circulation. Storms near the center of Surigae generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the southern side of the center of Typhoon Surigae. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the southern side of Surigae’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles from the center of Typhoon Surigae.
Typhoon 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 28°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is south of Japan. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Surigae’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Surigae will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Typhoon Surigae 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 Surigae toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Surigae will be just south of Okinawa in 24 hours.
Typhoon Surigae will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.