Tropical Storm Bebinca moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean toward the Ryukyu Islands on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 133.3°E which put the center about 405 miles (655 km) east-southeast of Okinawa.  Bebinca was moving toward the northwest at 25 m.p.h. (40 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 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthened on Friday as it moved toward the Ryukyu Islands.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Bebinca’s circulation.  Even though more thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Bebinca’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Bebinca consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bebinca generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Bebinca was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the northern half of Bebinca’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Bebinca were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bebinca will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bebinca will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the northeastern part of an upper level low east of Taiwan.  The upper level low will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bebinca’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Bebinca will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bebinca will move around the northeastern part of a large low pressure system east of Taiwan.  The low pressure system will steer Bebinca toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bebinca will reach the Ryukyu Islands in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bebinca could intensify to a typhoon before it reaches the Ryukyu Islands.  Bebinca will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Miniamidaitohima, Okinawa and Amami.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.