Although Typhoon Dolphin is weakening, it will still be a typhoon when it approaches Iwo To in about 24 hours.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 138.7°E which put it about 320 miles south-southwest of Iwo To.  Dolphin was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 155 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 941 mb.

Upper level westerly winds blowing over the top of Dolphin are tilting the circulation to the east and contributing to the weakening of the typhoon.  Dolphin will soon be moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is lower than 26°C and as it moves farther north it will encounter stronger upper level westerly winds.  Cooler SSTs and more vertical wind shear will continue to weaken Dolphin.  As it moves into a cooler environment southeast of Japan in several days, Dolphin will make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

Dolphin is moving around the the western end of a subtropical ridge.  It will gradually turn more toward the northeast on Monday.  As it encounters stronger westerly winds, Dolphin will start to move more rapidly toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track, Dolphin will near Iwo To in about 24 hours.  Although it will be weaker, it will still be a typhoon at that time.