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Tropical Storm Leepi (Bagyong Emong) has slightly intensified overnight and continues to push northward towards the Miyako Islands of Japan. The storm was last located approximately 400km east northeast of Basco, Batanes or about 670km south southwest of Okinawa, Japan. Maximum sustained winds are at 75kph with gusts of up to 95kph. TS Leepi is moving northward at 20kph.
IR Image from NRLMRY
Latest satellite image shows fragmented convection continue to fire off in and around the circulation center. Microwave analysis also shows that convective banding still persists although it hasn't shown any improvements over the past 6 hours. TS Leepi also continues to have good radial outflow that should help the system maintain its present intensity.
Leepi is now approaching the Miyako Islands of Japan. Outer rain bands should begin to impact the islands later this afternoon. Meanwhile, Batanes Islands in the Northern Philippines should also expect scattered light rains, gusty winds, and rough waves; same threats should also be expected across Eastern Taiwan.
Tropical Storm Leepi is forecast to move near Miyako-jima early Thursday morning. The storm will then move west of Okinawa and should start weakening by then. As it rounds the sub-tropical ridge, Leepi is forecast to start accelerating as it begins to feel the effects of the baroclinic zone. The storm could move near the island of Kyushu by Friday morning as a rapidly weakening Tropical Cyclone.
We'll have another update later tonight.
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