Former Tropical Depression Two-C strengthened to Tropical Storm Moke southeast of Hawaii on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Moke was located at latitude 13.9°N and longitude 147.2°W which put the center about 660 miles (1060 km) southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Moke was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1002 mb.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane found that former Tropical Depression Two-C had strengthened on Friday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Moke.

Even though Former Tropical Depression Two-C strengthened on Friday, the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Moke was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern side of Moke’s circulation.  Bands in the southern side of Tropical Storm Moke consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

An upper level trough that was just east of Hawaii was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Moke.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Moke was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) in the northern side of Moke’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Moke were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Moke will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Moke will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, the upper level trough just east of Hawaii will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Moke could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Moke will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is north of Hawaii.  The high pressure system will steer Moke toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Moke will pass south of Hawaii during the weekend.

Elsewhere over the Central North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Lala moved north of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.   At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 28.6°N and longitude 170.4°W which put the center about 230 miles (420 km) north of Maro Reef.  Lala was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.