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Tropical Storm Mangkhut has slightly intensified as it moves into the Gulf of Tonkin. The storm was last located approximately 320km southwest of Haikou, Hainan or about 460km southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam. Maximum sustained winds are up slightly to 75kph with gusts of up to 95kph. TS Mangkhut is moving northwestward at 25kph.
IR Image from NRLMRY
Latest satellite image shows a core of strong convective activity that continues to improve by the hour. The low-level center is safely located underneath the cloud canopy and it looks like the core of the storm is becoming more aligned leading to the slight intensification we've observed this morning. Much of the convection, though, is being blown to the southwest so there has been little rain in Hainan. Some of the rains are now impacting Central and Northern Vietnam.
Tropical Storm Mangkhut is forecast to make landfall later today and will pass near the city of Hanoi this afternoon. As much as 150mm of rain is forecast along the path of the storm. Dangerous conditions should be expected in Northern Vietnam beginning today and should last into the evening hours. Mangkhut will significantly weaken upon landfall although could linger in the region through the next two days.
We'll have another update later this afternoon.
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