The organization of Typhoon Higos improved on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Typhoon Higos was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 154.7°E which put it about 710 miles east of Guam and about 870 miles west-southwest of Wake Island.  Higos was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 95 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 115 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

The circulation around Higos remains in an area where the upper level winds are not too strong and the wind shear is in the light to moderate range.  An eye has developed at the center of circulation which is evident on both infrared and visible satellite imagery.  The eye is surrounding by a tight symmetrical ring of thunderstorms.  It has the appearance of a well organized circulation.  Upper level outflow continues and it is especially strong on the northeast side of Higos.  The typhoon also remains over warm Sea Surface Temperatures and so the environment could support some further intensification on Tuesday.  As Higos moves farther north, it will begin to be affected by stronger upper level westerly winds.  The stronger winds will create more wind shear and weaken Higos.

Higos is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge, which is steering it toward the northwest.  As it gets farther north, the upper level westerly winds will being to push it toward the northeast.  Higos is expected to weaken as it moves northwest of Wake Island.