Tropical Storm Pakhar Update #1

The first named Tropical Cyclone of the season has formed in the South China Sea. Tropical Storm Pakhar was last located approximately 560km north northwest of Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei or about 580km west of Palawan. Maximum sustained winds are at 65kph gusting to 90kph. TS Pakhar is almost stationary, meandering over the South China Sea for days now.

VIS Image from NRLMRY

The satellite image above shows the improving circulation and overall structure of the storm.Near the center are cooling cloud tops indicative of strong convection inside. Conditions in the region are favorable for further development and we do expect TS Pakhar to at least maintain this intensity (if not strengthen) over the next 24-36 hours.

We'll have more analysis and forecasts later today, together with our regular 3-day Forecast for the Philippines.
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Issued (03 UTC) 11am PhT 032912