Tropical Storm Pulasan brought gusty winds and rain to Okinawa on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Pulasan was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 126.9°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) north of Okinawa. Pulasan was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 998 mb.
Tropical Storm Pulasan brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Okinawa on Wednesday. A weather station in Oku, Japan reported 5.04 inches (128 mm) of rain. A weather station in Yoronjima Island reported 3.66 inches (93 mm) of rain.
The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Pulasan was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern sides of Pulasan’s circulation. Bands in the southern and western sides of Tropical Storm Pulasan consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.
The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Pulasan was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 320 miles (520 km) in the northwestern, northeastern and southeastern quadrants of Pulasan’s circulation. The winds in the southwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Pulasan were blowing at less than tropical storm force,
Tropical Storm Pulasan will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pulasan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the northern side of a large upper level low centered southeast of China. The upper level low will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pulasan’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Pulasan could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger. Pulasan will weaken if the vertical wind shear increases.
Tropical Storm Pulasan will move around the northern side of a large counterclockwise circulation southeast of China that is sometimes called a monsoon gyre. The large counterclockwise circulation will steer Pulasan quickly toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pulasan will be near Shanghai, China in 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Pulasan will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the region around Shanghai. Flooding is still occurring from the recent passage of Typhoon Bebinca over the same area. Additional heavy rain will make flooding worse.