Tag Archives: Japan

Tropical Storm Mun Forms Southeast of Japan

Tropical Storm Mun formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Mun was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 145.5°E which put the center about 680 miles (1100 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Mun was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan strengthened on Wednesday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Mun.

Tropical Storm Mun was under the eastern side of an upper level low southeast of Japan.  The upper level low was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing across the eastern part of Mun’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Mun to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Mun’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Mun generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.

The vertical wind shear was also affecting the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Mun.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) in the northern side of Mun’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the southern part of Tropical Storm Mun.

Tropical Storm Mun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mun will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, the upper level low southeast of Japan will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Mun could intensify during the next 24 hours if the vertical wind shear does not increase.

The upper level low southeast of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Mun toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mun will move toward eastern Japan.  Mun could meander east of Japan during the next few days.

Sepat Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Sepat weakened to a tropical depression over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Sepat was located at latitude 32.4°N and longitude 139.5°E which put the center about 230 miles (370 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Sepat was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Sepat weakened to a tropical depression on Tuesday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan.  Many of the thunderstorms in Sepat’s circulation dissipated.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Depression Sepat.  Most of the bands revolving around the center of Sepat’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Sepat will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sepat will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce west-southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sepat’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear and marginal Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Tropical Depression Sepat to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Sepat will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sepat toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Sepat will approach eastern Honshu in 12 hours.  The center of Sepat’s circulation is likely to pass just to the southeast of Tokyo.

Tropical Depression Sepat is likely to bring gusty winds and rain to the part of Honshu southeast of Tokyo.

Tropical Storm Sepat Moves Toward Honshu

Tropical Storm Sepat moved toward Honshu on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Sepat was located at latitude 29.7°N and longitude 140.7°E which put the center about 420 miles (680 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Sepat was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

Tropical Storm Sepat strengthened a little on Monday morning, but Sepat was showing signs of weakening on Monday evening.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Sepat.  Thunderstorms were also occurring bands revolving around the center of Sepat’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Sepat generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was balanced by the inflow of mass in the lower levels of Tropical Storm Sepat.  The balance of upper level divergence and inflow in the lower levels caused the surface pressure to remain steady.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Sepat was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the eastern side of Sepat’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Sepat were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sepat will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sepat will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level low south of Japan.  The upper level low will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sepat’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear  and marginal Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Tropical Storm Sepat to weaken during the next 24 hours.  Sepat is likely to weaken to a tropical depression on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Sepat will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sepat toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sepat will continue to move toward Honshu.

Tropical Storm Sepat Forms Southeast of Japan

Tropical Storm Sepat formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Sepat was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 144.3°E which put the center about 215 miles (345 km) east of Iwo To.  Sepat was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan strengthened on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Sepat.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Sepat was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern side of Sepat’s circulation.  The bands in the southern side of Tropical Storm Sepat consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Sepat was under the eastern side of an upper level low that was south of Japan.  The upper level low was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Sepat’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Sepat was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the eastern side of Sepat’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Sepat were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sepat will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sepat will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  The upper level low south of Japan will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Sepat is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sepat will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system and the upper low south of Japan will steer Sepat toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sepat will move toward Honshu.

Tropical Storm Kong-rey Moves Over East China Sea

Tropical Storm Kong-rey moved over the East China Sea on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 27.3°N and longitude 121.2°E which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) southeast of Wenzhou, China.  Kong-rey was moving toward the north-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 Kong-rey weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across Taiwan on Thursday.  The mountains in Taiwan significantly disrupted the circulation in the lower levels of Kong-rey.  The circulation in the middle and upper levels of Tropical Storm Kong-rey remained more intact.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were occurring in the eastern side of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Kong-rey consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Kong-rey was still large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center Kong-rey.

Tropical Storm Kong-rey will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kong-rey will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  An upper level trough over eastern China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kong-rey’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  In addition, the western side of Tropical Storm Kong-rey will pull drier air over Asia into the tropical storm.  Cooler water, strong vertical wind shear, and drier air will cause Kong-rey to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.  The cooler water and strong wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Kong-rey to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Friday.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Kong-rey toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Kong-rey will move near the coast of Zhejiang during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Storm Kong-rey could approach western Kyushu in 24 hours.

Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Kong-rey will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to coastal parts of Zhejiang on Friday.  Kong-rey could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to western Japan on Saturday.

Typhoon Krathon Stalls Southwest of Taiwan

Typhoon Krathon stalled just to the southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 119.4°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the east at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Typhoon Krathon stalled just southwest of Taiwan on Tuesday.  As Krathon’s circulation remained nearly stationary, strong winds mixed cooler water to the surface of the ocean.  The cooler water reduced the energy available to be transferred to the atmosphere and Typhoon Krathon gradually weakened.

Even though Typhoon Krathon weakened on Tuesday, Krathon was still the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Typhoon Krathon.  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 revolved around the core of Krathon’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Krathon generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Krathon was very symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 39.2.  Typhoon Krathon was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit Louisiana in 2005.  Krathon was not quite as big as Rita was.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will be under the axis of an upper level ridge over eastern China.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, as long as the core of Typhoon Krathon remains over the cooler water it is mixing to the surface of the ocean, Krathon will continue to gradually weaken.

Typhoon Krathon will be in an area where the steering currents are weak during the next few hours.  An upper level trough over southern China will start to steer Krathon toward the slowly northeast on Wednesday.  The center of Krathon could make landfall on the coast of Taiwan northwest Kaohsiung in 24 hours.

Bands in the northeastern part of Typhoon Krathon are already dropping heavy rain on parts Taiwan.  Krathon will bring strong winds and heavier rain to the southwestern part of Taiwan when it moves closer to the coast.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods.  Typhoon Krathon could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) on the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Jebi sped rapidly northeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 43.1°N and longitude 150.5°E which put the center about 300 miles (485 km) east of Kushiro, Japan.  Jebi was moving toward the northeast at 41 m.p.h. (67 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Typhoon Krathon Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Typhoon Krathon intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it passed just south of Taiwan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 119.9°E which put the center about 135 miles (220 km) south-southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 927 mb.

Typhoon Krathon continued to intensify Monday.  It is now the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) is present at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Typhoon Krathon.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.

The circulation around Typhoon Krathon is symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extend out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 24.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 55.7.  Typhoon Krathon is similar in intensity to Hurricane Laura when Jeanne hit Louisiana in 2020.  Krathon is bigger than Laura was.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Typhoon Krathon will be in an environment favorable for intensification, Krathon may not intensify.  Images from the Taiwan Central Weather Agency’s radar indicate that concentric eyewalls may be forming at the center of Krathon’s circulation.  If concentric eyewalls do form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Typhoon Krathon to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Krathon will move southwest of Taiwan.  An upper level trough over southern China will start to steer Krathon toward the northeast on Wednesday.  The center of Krathon could make landfall on Taiwan near Kaohsiung.

Typhoon Krathon will be a large, powerful storm when it hits Taiwan.  Krathon will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Typhoon Krathon could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) on the coast of southwestern Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Jebi strengthened south of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 141.3°E which put the center about 320 miles (520 km) south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Jebi was moving toward the north at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 986 mb.

Typhoon Krathon Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Krathon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Krathon was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 122.0°E which put the center about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Typhoon Krathon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Taiwan on Sunday.  A large circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) was at the center of Krathon’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 core of Typhoon Krathon.  Storms near the core of Krathon’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped large quatities of mass mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Krathon increased as it intensified.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of Typhoon Krathon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Krathon was 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 23.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 45.2.  Typhoon Krathon was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Jeanne when Jeanne hit southeast Florida in 2004.

Typhoon Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear, Typhoon Krathon will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Krathon could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Typhoon Krathon is likely strengthen to a the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Krathon will move closer to Taiwan.  The center Krathon’s circulation will approach the southern end of Taiwan in 36 hours. Typhoon Krathon is will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Taiwan.  Bands in the northern side of Krathon’s circulation will begin to bring wind and rain to Taiwan on Monday.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, the center of Tropical Storm Jebi passed just to the west of Iwo To.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 25.8°N and longitude 140.7°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of Iwo To.  Jebi was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Krathon Forms Southeast of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Krathon formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Krathon was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 125.1°E which put the center about 480 miles (775 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Krathon was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan strengthened on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Krathon.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Krathon was organizing quickly on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of Krathon’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Krathon.  Storms near the center of Krathon’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mas away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Krathon was increasing size as Krathon strengthened.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Krathon’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Krathon will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Krathon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear,  Tropical Storm Krathon will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Krathon could strengthen to a typhoon on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Krathon will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Krathon toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Krathon will move closer to Taiwan.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Jebi was moving closer to Iwo To.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 142.3°E which put the center about 275 miles (445 km) south-southeast of Iwo To.  Jebi was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Jebi Forms West of the Northern Marianas

Tropical Storm Jebi formed west of the Northern Marianas on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Jebi was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 144.6°E which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) west-northwest of Agrihan. Jebi was moving toward the north-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A low pressure system west of the Northern Marianas strengthened on Friday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jebi.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Jebi was poorly organized.  Thunderstorms were occurring in the southeastern quadrant of Jebi’s circulation.  There were no thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Storm Jebi.  Bands in the other parts of Jebi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Jebi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jebi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jebi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Jebi could intensify a little during the next 24 hours, if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Jebi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jebi toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jebi will move slowly away from the Northern Marianas.  Jebi could approach Iwo To in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 20W formed south-southeast of Taiwan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression 20W was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 430 miles (690 km) south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  The tropical depression was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.