TS Roke (Onyok) Update #8

Tropical Storm Roke continues to intensify as it tracks near the Daito Islands. It remains inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility but is expected to exit later today. Roke was last located approximately 330km southeast of Okinawa. Maximum sustained winds are now at 110kph gusting to 140kph. Roke is moving east northeastward at 5kph.

IR Image from FNMOC

Wind reports from Daitojima have significantly increased over the past 6 hours with sustained winds reaching up to 50 to 60kph. Wind gusts of up to 100kph have also been recorded. Strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect Daito today.

Forecasts remain the same for Roke. It is expected to begin making a u-turn today and move towards the north; it could also become a typhoon today if intensification continues. Computer models are in better agreement as to the eventual track. Most models also show Roke making landfall near the Kii Peninsula by Wednesday.

We'll have more on the forecast and track of Roke later today. Stay safe!
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Issued (2130 UTC) 530am PhT 091811