Tropical Storm Prapiroon Update #15

Tropical Storm Prapiroon is now moving away from the Ryukyu Islands after passing east of Okinawa last night. The system is now located roughly 300km east northeast of Okinawa. Maximum sustained winds are at 95kph with gusts of up to 120kph. TS Prapiroon is moving northeastward at 25kph.

IR Image from NRLMRY

Latest satellite image shows a strung-out system with weak convective activity. Prapiroon moved about 250km east of Okinawa last night bringing tropical-storm force winds of up to 100kph. Gusts of up to 120kph were also recorded in some areas. Furthermore, light to moderate rains impacted the islands with many stations recorded anywhere between 50 to 100mm. Prapiroon is now showing signs of weakening as it begins to feel the effects of dry air and the approaching trough to the northwest. We expect Prapiroon to start extra-tropical transition in the next 24 to 36 hours as it moves south of Japan.

Tropical Storm Prapiroon is forecast to continue moving northeastward and is expected to pass south of the Mainland Japanese Islands. It will also accelerate as strong westerly winds pick the system up. By Saturday, Prapiroon is forecast to become an extra-tropical cyclone as it moves over the Northern Pacific.

We'll have another update later this afternoon.
_______________________________________________
Issued (00 UTC) 8am PhT 101812