Tropical Depression 07W formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean west-southwest of Guam on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression 07W was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 142.5°E which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) west-southwest of Guam. Tropical Depression 07W was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1005 mb.
A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean west-southwest of Guam strengthened on Thursday night and both the Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified the system as a tropical depression.
The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Depression 07W was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of the tropical depression. Bands in the northern half of Tropical Depression 07W consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
Tropical Depression 07W will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression 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 northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Depression 07W is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours. It could strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.
Tropical Depression 07W will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression 07W will move away from the Marianas.
