Monday, October 21, 2013

Typhoon Lekima Update #2

Issued (23 UTC) 730am PhT 102213
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Lekima has intensified into a Typhoon as it continues to move across the Pacific Ocean. The storm center was last located approximately 880km north of Pohnpei or about 1,000km southwest of Wake Island. Maximum sustained winds are now at 120kph with gusts of up to 150kph. Typhoon Lekima is moving northwestward at 20kph.

IR Image from FNMOC

 
Convective activity remains strong and the satellite image above shows a small and faintly-visible eye is starting to appear. Outflow, especially the poleward channel, is pretty strong as well and is helping with the current burst of intensification. Lekima should continue intensifying for the next two days as wind shear remains light and sea surface temperatures are warm enough for further development.

As of this moment, Typhoon Lekima is not forecast to impact any major land areas and will continue moving northwestward across the Pacific. It may move near the Northern Mariana Islands and Iwo To by Thursday but it should not pose a major threat for these islands.

We'll have another update later today.

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