Tropical Storm Khanun Update #3

Tropical Storm Khanun continues to move closer towards the Japanese Islands. It was last located approximately 480km east of Okinawa and is moving west northwestward at 30kph. Maximum sustained winds remain at 65kph with occasional gusts of up to 90kph.

Radar from JMA

Latest radar image out of the Daito Islands indicate bands of moderate to heavy rains now moving into the islands. Minami and the surrounding villages are also beginning to report increasing northerly winds of around 30 to even 40kph. Strong winds will continue here coupled with heavy rains. Stormy conditions will also be felt across Okinawa, Amami, and the surrounding islands beginning later this morning. There could be as much as 40 to 80mm of rain falling today. Since Khanun is moving at a fast pace, we expect conditions to get better later tonight. For the latest Radar Image, please click HERE (JMA website)

IR Image from NRLMRY

For now, the storm continues to have strong convective activity, particularly near the center. Conditions remain somewhat favorable and JTWC is still expecting Khanun to intensify slightly today. Forecast tracks also continue to be closely spaced and should continue moving west northwestward towards the Yellow Sea. The system will start moving into cooler waters and area of stronger wind shear tomorrow which should  cause Khanun to start weakening. Khanun is then forecast to make landfall along the western coast of the Korean Peninsula as a weakening Tropical Depression.

We'll have another update this afternoon.
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Issued (22 UTC) 6am PhT 071712