Tropical Storm Doksuri formed east of the Philippines on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Doksuri was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 133.0°E which put it about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Legazpi, Philippines. Doksuri was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines strengthened on Thursday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Doksuri. The circulation around Tropical Storm Doksuri exhibited more organization on satellite images. More thunderstorms developed in bands revolving around the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Doksuri will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Doksuri will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge east of the Philippines. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Doksuri will intensify during the next 48 hours. Doksuri is likely to strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Doksuri will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Doksuri slowly toward the northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Doksuri will move closer to northern Luzon.