Tag Archives: Iwo To

Typhoon Dolphin Still Moving Toward Iwo To

Typhoon Dolphin was still moving toward Iwo on Saturday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 152.8°E which put the center about 785 miles (1265 km) east of Iwo To.  Dolphin was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 931 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin’s intensity fluctuated a little on Saturday, but Dolphin essentially maintained it strength.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds occurred in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass in the upper levels was nearly the same as the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure remained almost constant on Saturday.

The completion of multiple eyewall replacement cycles caused the circulation around Typhoon Dolphin to become very large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.   Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 26.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 56.6.  Typhoon Dolphin is bigger and stronger than Hurricane Helene was when Helene hit Florida in 2022.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to maintain its intensity on Sunday.  Eyewall replacement cycles are likely to continue to cause fluctuation in the intensity of Typhoon Dolphin during the next several days.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will continue to move toward Iwo To.  The center of Dolphin will be near Iwo To in 48 hours,

Typhoon Dolphin Moves Toward Iwo To

Typhoon Dolphin moved toward Iwo To on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 157.8°E which put the center about 1080 miles (1740 km) east-southeast of Iwo To.  Dolphin was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 933 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin appeared to be in the middle of another eyewall replacement cycle on Friday evening.  A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by two circular eyewalls.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass in the upper levels was slightly less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased gradually on Friday.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Dolphin increased on Friday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 23.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 53.2.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Helene when Helene hit Florida in 2022.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to maintain its intensity on Saturday.  Eyewall replacement cycles are likely to continue to cause fluctuation in the intensity of Typhoon Dolphin during the next few days.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will continue to move toward Iwo To.  The center of Dolphin could be near Iwo To in 72 hours,

Typhoon Dolphin Moves West of Wake Island

Typhoon Dolphin moved west of Wake Island on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 161.5°E which put the center about 315 miles (510 km) west-southwest of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 924 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin appeared to go through another eyewall replacement cycle.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was present at the center of Dolphin’s circulation on Thursday evening.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure  did not change much on Thursday.

The completion of another eyewall replacement cycle increased the size of the circulation around Typhoon Dolphin.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 33.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 21.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 54.3.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in intensity to Hurricane Ian when Ian hit Southwest Florida in 2022.  Typhoon Dolphin is larger than Ian was.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin is likely to maintain its intensity on Friday.  Eyewall replacement cycles are likely to cause fluctuation in the intensity of Typhoon Dolphin during the next few days.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will move toward Iwo To.

Typhoon Dolphin Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Dolphin strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Wake Island on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Dolphin was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 166.3°E which put the center about 240 miles (390 km) south of Wake Island.  Dolphin was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (320 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 915 mb.

Typhoon Dolphin strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Wednesday.  A  circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was present at the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms. The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Typhoon Dolphin.  Storms near the core of Dolphin generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass from the typhoon. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Typhoon Dolphin was symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Dolphin’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Typhoon Dolphin.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Dolphin is 36.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 15.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 52.2.  Typhoon Dolphin is similar in intensity to Hurricane Otis when Otis hit Mexico in 2023.  Typhoon Dolphin is larger than Otis was.

Typhoon Dolphin will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Dolphin could continue to intensify during the next few hours.  Eyewall replacement cycles are likely to cause fluctuation in the intensity of Typhoon Dolphin during the next few days.

Typhoon Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Dolphin will be east of Iwo To by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Mekkhala was nearing the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Mekkhala was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 125.6°E which put the center about 45 miles (75 km) south of Miyakojima, Japan.  Mekkhala was moving toward the north-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

Former Typhoon Mekkhala weakened to a tropical storm as it approached the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday.  An upper level ridge over China continued to produce northeasterly winds that blew toward the top of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear caused former Typhoon Mekkhala to weaken to a tropical storm.

The northeasterly winds in the upper levels also continued to blow the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that tried to form in the northern half of Tropical Storm Mekkhala.  A few more thunderstorms did develop near the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Mekkhala.  Bands in the northern half of Mekkhala still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the typhoon.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure continued to increase on Wednesday.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Mekkhala increased a little on Wednesday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China will continue to cause vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear may be a little less on Thursday.  Tropical Storm Mekkhala could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours if the vertical wind shear is a little less.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mekkhala will pass over Miyakojima during the next few hours.  Mekkhala could be near Okinawa in 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Mekkhala will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern Ryukyu Islands including Ishigakijima and Miyakojima.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Mekkhala will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Okinawa.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression Higos strengthened back to a tropical storm on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Higos was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 137.1°E which put the center about 540 miles (870 km) south-southwest of Iwo To.  Higos was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Sinlaku Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Typhoon Sinlaku weakened to a tropical storm on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Sinlaku was located at latitude 25.8°N and longitude 149.2°E which put the center about 450 miles (730 km) east of Iwo To.  Sinlaku was moving toward the northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Former Typhoon Sinlaku weakened to a tropical storm as it moved over cooler water on Saturday.  Many of the remaining thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Sinlaku dissipated on Saturday.  There were still some thunderstorms in bands in the eastern side of Sinlaku’s circulation.  The bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Sinlaku consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  There was very little upper level divergence from Tropical Storm Sinlaku.  The convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to continue to increase.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Sinlaku was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours . Sinlaku will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is southeast of Japan.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sinlaku’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Sinlaku will also continue to pull drier air into its circulation.  The drier air will continue to to inhibit the development of new thunderstorms in the rainbands revolving around the center of Sinlaku’s circulation.  The cooler Sea Surface Temperatures, moderate vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Storm Sinlaku to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sinlaku toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sinlaku will continue to move away from Iwo To.

Typhoon Halong Passes South of Tokyo

Typhoon Halong passed south of Tokyo on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Halong was located at latitude 32.8°N and longitude 140.3°E which put the center about 195 miles (315 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Halong was moving toward the northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 946 mb.

Typhoon Halong was starting to weaken as it passed south of Tokyo on Wednesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was still present at the center of Halong’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Halong.  Storms near the center of Halong generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the typhoon.  The removal of mass was less than the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing.

The circulation around Typhoon Halong increased in size on Wednesday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Halong’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Typhoon Halong.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Halong was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.5.  Typhoon Halong was similar in intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.  Halong is bigger than Dennis was.

Typhoon Halong will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Halong will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southern extent of the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  The upper level westerly winds will blow toward the top of Halong’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear will cause Typhoon Halong to weaken during the next 24 hours.  Halong is likely to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next few days.

The upper level westerly winds will steer Typhoon Halong quickly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Halong will move away from Japan on Thursday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Nakri former southwest of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Nakri was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 136.0°E which put the center about 625 miles (1010 km) south-southeast of Okinawa.  Nakri was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Typhoon Matmo Brings Wind and Rain to Southern China

Typhoon Matmo brought wind and rain to southern China on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 110.0°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west of Zhanjiang, China.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (25 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of southern China on Sunday morning.  The center of Matmo made landfall near Zhanjiang.

Typhoon Matmo was a large typhoon at the time of landfall.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Matmo was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size index (HWISI) was 41.0.  Typhoon Matmo was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will move inland near the coast of southern China.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast.  Typhoon Matmo will drop heavy rain on parts of northern Vietnam early next week.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 28W strengthened to Tropical Storm Halong east of Iwo To.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 142.0°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east of Iwo To.   Halong was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Typhoon Matmo Passes South of Hong Kong

Typhoon Matmo passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Matmo was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 113.4°E which put the center about 225 miles (370 km) south of Hong Kong, Philippines.  Matmo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Typhoon Matmo strengthened as it passed south of Hong Kong on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Matmo’s circulation.  A circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Matmo.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Matmo’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Matmo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Matmo increased on Saturday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Matmo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Typhoon Matmo.

Typhoon Matmo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Matmo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over China.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Matmo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Matmo will intensify during the next 12 hours. .

Typhoon Matmo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over southern China.  The high pressure system will steer Matmo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Matmo will approach the  southern coast of China in 12 hours.

Typhoon Matmo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to southwestern Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Matmo also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 28W formed east of Iwo To.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression 28W was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 63.1°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) east of Iwo To.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Podul Passes South of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Podul passes south of Iwo To on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Podul was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 140.4°E which put the center about 230 miles (370 km) south of Iwo To.  Podul was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Podul was maintaining its intensity on Saturday as it passed south of Iwo To.  An upper level ridge over China and Japan was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Podul’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Podul to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Podul’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Podul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Podul was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Podul’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Podul will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Podul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China and Japan will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Podul could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Podul will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Podul toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Podul will move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.