Tropical Storm Talas moved near Japan on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Talas was located at latitude 31.4°N and longitude 135.1°E which put it about 415 miles (670 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Talas was moving toward the north at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1000 mb.

The circulation around a small low pressure system just south of Honshu strengthened on Thursday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Talas. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Talas was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Talas’ circulation. Bands in the rest of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Talas. The winds in the western side of Talas were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Talas will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Talas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over eastern Asia. The upper level trough will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Talas’ circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will be strong enough to prevent significant intensification.

The upper level trough over eastern Asia will steer Tropical Storm Talas quickly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Talas will be near Tokyo in 18 hours. Talas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Honshu. The small size of Talas’ circulation will limit the impact of the storm.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm 18W developed east of Luzon. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm 18W was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 132.1°E which put it about 640 miles (1030 km) east of Luzon. Tropical Storm 18W was moving toward the west 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 997 mb. Tropical Storm 18W is forecast to move toward northern Luzon and to strengthen to a typhoon.