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Tropical Storm Noul Forms East of Northern Luzon

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Tropical Storm Noul formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon on Thursday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Noul was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 124.4°E which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Noul was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 998 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon strengthened on Thursday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Noul.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Storm Noul.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western half of Noul’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Noul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storm near the center of Noul began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Noul was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the southern side of Noul’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Noul.

Tropical Storm Noul will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Noul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is centered east of China.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Noul’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Noul will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Noul is likely to strengthen to a typhoon by the weekend.

Tropical Storm Noul will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Noul toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Noul will pass south of Taiwan on Friday.  Noul is likely to hit southeastern China during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Noul will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.  Noul will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Tropical Storm Noul is likely to be a typhoon when it hits southeastern China.

Typhoon Mekkhala Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Typhoon Mekkhala strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 125.9°E which put the center about 305 miles (490 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Mekkhala was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 937 mb.

Typhoon Mekkhala strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was present at the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.  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 Mekkhala’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of winds speeds in Typhoon Mekkhala was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mekkhala is 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 39.9.  Typhoon Mekkhala is similar in intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit Southwest Florida in 2004.  Mekkhala is a little larger than Charley was.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala 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 southwest of Japan. The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mekhala could intensify during the next 24 hours unless the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall.  If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Mekkhala to weaken.  Typhoon Mekkhala could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, if there is no eyewall replacement cycle.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mekkhala will move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.  Mekkhala could approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 60 hours.

Typhoon Mekkhala Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Mekkhala rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 127.4°E which put the center about 415 miles (670 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Mekkhala was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

Typhoon Mekkhala rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.  A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) formed at the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.  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 Mekkhala’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of winds speeds in Typhoon Mekkhala became more symmetrical on Sunday.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mekkhala is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 30.6.  Typhoon Mekkhala is similar in intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit Southwest Louisiana in 2020.  Mekkhala is a little smaller than Delta was.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Japan.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Mekhala will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mekkhala will move closer to northern Luzon. Mekkhala is likely to move more slowly in a couple of days when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  Typhoon Mekkhala is also likely to move toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system

Mekkhala Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Mekkhala strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Saturday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 131.3°E which put the center about 710 miles (1145 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Mekkhala was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Mekkhala strengthened to a typhoon on Saturday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Mekkhala.  Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Typhoon Mekkhala.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northern half of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Mekkhala.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the southern half of Mekkhala’s circulation.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Japan. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Mekkhala’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Mekhala will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Mekkhala could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next few days.

Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mekkhala will move toward northern Luzon.  Mekkhala is likely to move more slowly in a couple of days when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.

Nokaen Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Nokaen weakened to a tropical depression over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Monday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of the Tropical Depression Nokaen was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 127.4°E which put the center about 365 miles (530 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines.  Nokaen was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.

Former Tropical Storm Nokaen continued to move through an environment containing drier air on Monday.  The drier air caused most of the thunderstorms in Tropical Depression Nokaen to dissipate.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in a band in the far northern periphery of Nokaen’s circulation.  The bands in the other parts of Tropical Depression Nokaen consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Nokaen will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nokaen will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, it will continue to be surrounded by drier air.  In addition, Tropical Depression Nokaen will move under the southern portion of the midlatitude upper level westerly winds.  Those winds will cause vertical wind shear.  The drier air and the vertical wind shear will cause the circulation around Tropical Depression Nokaen to continue to weaken.

Tropical Depression Nokaen will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Nokaen toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Nokaen will continue to move farther away from Luzon as it gradually spins down.

Typhoon Ragasa Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday night east of northern Luzon.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 280 miles (455 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday night.  A small circular eye was at the center of Ragasa’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 Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 55.6.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 24 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters).  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, powerful Typhoon Neoguri continued to spin far to the southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 151.6°E which put the center about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the 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 936 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 128.4°E which put the center about 475 miles (765 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 957 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  A small circular eye was present at the center of Ragasa’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 Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Ragasa.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) in the northern side of Ragasa’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.9.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Ragasa was not as large as Rita was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could continue to intensify rapidly.  Typhoon Ragasa could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri continued to strengthen southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 154.5°E which put the center about 1100 miles (1775 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Ragasa Strengthens to Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 16.52°N and longitude 129.3°E which put the center about 530 miles (855 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Ragasa is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Ragasa will move closer to northern Luzon.  The center of Typhoon Ragasa will be near northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened to a typhoon southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put the center about 1210 miles (1950 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 980 mb.

Tropical Storm Mitag Brings Wind and Rain to Southeastern China

Tropical Storm Mitag brought wind and rain to southeastern China on Friday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 115.1°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east-northeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 997 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Mitag made landfall on the coast of southeastern China east of Hong Kong on Thursday night.  Mitag was bringing wind and rain to parts of Guangdong.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Mitag’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will move inland over Guangdong.  The center of Mitag’s circulation will pass north of Hong Kong.

Tropical Storm Mitag will weaken gradually as it moves over southern China.  Mitag will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Guangdong during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa moved slowly toward northern Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened southeast of Japan.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 130.5°E which put the center about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west 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 1000 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 159.8°E which put the center about 1450 miles (2340 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Mitag Develops Southeast of Hong Kong

Tropical Storm Mitag developed over the South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 116.5°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) southeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 South China Sea southeast of Hong Kong strengthened on Thursday morning and the Japan Meteorological Agency  designated the system as Tropical Storm Mitag.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag continued to get better organized on Thursday morning.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Mitag’s circulation.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mitag.  Bands in the western side of Mitag’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Mitag.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the eastern side of Mitag’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Mitag were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mitag will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over eastern China and the South China Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Mitag will intensity during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will be near Hong Kong in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Mitag will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Hong Kong.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa formed east of Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri formed southeast of Japan.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 132.7°E which put the center about 755 miles (1220 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 162.5°E which put the center about 1630 miles (2630 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.