Former Tropical Storm Mekkhala strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Luzon on Saturday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Mekkhala was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 131.3°E which put the center about 710 miles (1145 km) east-southeast of Aparri, Philippines. Mekkhala was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.
Former Tropical Storm Mekkhala strengthened to a typhoon on Saturday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of Mekkhala’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Mekkhala. Storms near the center of Mekkhala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Typhoon Mekkhala. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northern half of Mekkhala’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Typhoon Mekkhala. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the southern half of Mekkhala’s circulation.
Typhoon Mekkhala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mekkhala 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 easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Mekkhala’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Typhoon Mekhala will intensify during the next 24 hours. Mekkhala could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next few days.
Typhoon Mekkhala will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Mekkhala toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mekkhala will move toward northern Luzon. Mekkhala is likely to move more slowly in a couple of days when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.
