Tropical Storm Dolphin formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the International Date Line on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 174.6°E which put the center about 690 miles (1115 km) east-southeast of Wake Island. Dolphin was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.
A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Wake Island strengthened early on Monday and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolphin.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolphin was strengthening on Monday. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Dolphin’s circulation. Storms near the center of Dolphin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were blowing on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolphin. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Dolphin’s circulation. The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Dolphin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Dolphin will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dolphin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Dolphin will intensify during the next 24 hours. Dolphin is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Dolphin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dolphin toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Dolphin will be south of Wake Island in 48 hours.
