Former Tropical Storm In-Fa strengthened to a typhoon on Sunday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean northwest of Kwajalein.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon In-Fa was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 163.7°E which put the center about 420 miles (675 km) northwest of Kwajalein.  In-Fa was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Former Tropical Storm In-Fa strengthened to a typhoon on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of In-Fa’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon In-Fa.  Storms near the center of In-Fa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

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

Typhoon In-Fa will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  In-Fa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level trough that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of In-Fa’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon In-Fa could intensify during the next 24 hours.  In-Fa could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next several days.

Typhoon In-Fa will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer In-Fa toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon In-Fa will move farther away from Kwajalein.