Tropical Storm Cimaron developed east of the Northern Marianas on Saturday and it prompted Typhoon Warnings for some of the islands, while Typhoon Soulik strengthened west of Iwo To.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Cimaron was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 151.6°E which put it about 420 miles (675 km) east of Saipan.  Cimaron was moving toward the 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.  A Typhoon Warning was in effect for Agrihan, Pagan and Almagan.

A distinct center of circulation developed in an area of thunderstorms east of the Northern Marianas on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Cimaron.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms developed around the circulation of Tropical Storm Cimaron.  The rainbands west and south of the center of circulation were stronger than the bands east and north of the center.  An inner bands of thunderstorms started to wrap around the south side of the center.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence.

Tropical Storm Cimaron will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Cimaron will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Tropical Storm Cimaron will move through an area where it will be near the upper level divergence from Typhoon Soulik.  Tropical Storm Cimaron is forecast to stay just southeast of the divergence from Soulik.  If it does that, Cimaron will strengthen into a typhoon during the next few days.  However, if Cimaron moves under the upper level divergence from Typhoon Soulik, then the vertical wind shear will keep Cimaron from strengthening.

Typhoon Soulik strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane west of Iwo To on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Soulik was located at latitude 25.2°N and longitude 138.8°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) west-northwest of Iwo To.  Soulik was moving toward the west-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 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Typhoon Soulik is well organized.  There is a circular eye at the center of circulation.  The eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Soulik.  Storms near the core are generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping mass away in all directions.  Winds to typhoon force extend out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 170 miles (280 km) from the center.

Typhoon Soulik will move through an area favorable for strong typhoons.  Soulik will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Soulik could maintain its intensity for another 24 to 48 hours.

Typhoon Soulik will move around the western end of a ridge in the middle troposphere.  The ridge will steer Soulik in a general northwesterly direction.  On it anticipated track Typhoon Soulik will move toward the Ryukyu Islands.  Tropical Storm Cimaron will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  On its anticipated track, Cimaron will move near the northern Marianas in 24 to 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Cimaron could approach Iwo To in about three days.