Tropical Storm Banyan formed quickly near Wake Island on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Banyan was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 167.2°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) south-southeast of Wake Island.  Banyan was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1003 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Banyan organized quickly.  It developed a distinct center of circulation.  Thunderstorms formed north and south of the center, but there were more thunderstorms south of the center.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms began to develop in the outer parts of the circulation.  The thunderstorms in the core of Tropical Storm Banyan were generating upper level divergence which was pumping away mass.  The circulation of Tropical Storm Banyan is relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Banyan will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification.  Banyan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30.5°C.  An upper level ridge north of Banyan is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are weak and there is not much vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Banyan is likely to intensify during the next day or two and it could intensify quickly at times.

Tropical Storm Banyan is moving near the western end of a subtropical ridge to its north.  The ridge is currently steering Banyan toward the west-northwest, but the tropical storm is expected to turn more toward the north when it reaches the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Banyan will move over Wake Island in about 12 hours.  Banyan will cause gusty winds and heavy rain when it moves over Wake Island.