Powerful Typhoon Chaba is passing south of Okinawa.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Chaba was located at latitude 24.5°N and longitude 127.3°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) south of Okinawa.  Chaba was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 935 mb.

The circulation of Typhoon Chaba is very well organized.  Chaba has a distinct circular eye surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  Other rainbands are rotating around the core of the circulation.  The thunderstorms in the core are generating upper level divergence which is pumping out mass to the north of Typhoon Chaba.

Typhoon Chaba is moving through a very favorable environment.  Chaba is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Chaba could intensify a little more during the next 12 to 24 hours.  When Chaba moves farther north, an upper level trough over eastern China will cause more vertical wind shear.  Increased wind shear and cooler SSTs will weaken the typhoon.

Typhoon Chaba is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the northwest.  Chaba will gradually start to move more toward the north.  In about 36 hours the upper level trough over eastern China will begin to steer Typhoon Chaba toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Chaba will move through the Ryukyu Islands southwest of Okinawa during the next 24 hours.  Chaba would be southwest of Kyushu in about 36 hours.

Chaba is a powerful typhoon and it will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa.