TS Pakhar Update #3

Tropical Storm Pakhar continues to intensify as it remains off the coast of Vietnam. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 90kph with gusts of up to 120kph. TS Pakhar is almost stationary as the steering flow in the region remains very weak.

IR Image from NRLMRY

Latest satellite images (including the one above) shows improved banding and consolidation around the center. Satellite loops and microwave data also show what looks like an eye-like feature beginning to develop around the mid to low levels.

Again, conditions are favorable for further development and while we are not expecting Pakhar to intensify into a typhoon, near-term trends today will be important since that possibility still exists. We'll have another update later this afternoon that will have more in-depth analysis as well as detailed forecast for TS Pakhar and its future track and intensity.
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Issued (2030 UTC) 430am PhT 033012