Tropical Storm Fengshen

Typhoon Fengshen UPDATE:

Earlier predictions that Typhoon Fengshen will avoid the Phillipines were a bit "off track", no pun intended. The storm has continued on a westward course despite computer model predictions indicating that it will turn to the north. The northward turn towards Japan is still expected, but a sizable potion of the storm is skirting along the northeastern Phillipine Islands.

Based on the discussion at Weather Underground, a low to mid level pressure ridge is steering the storm to the west. The expectation is that this ridge will be weakening and moving to the east. The result will be for Fengshen to slow and then turn to the north. Interaction with land is also slowing the forward motion of the storm and may reduce the liklihood for further strengthening in the short term.

In the mean while, heavy rains on the islands may cause flooding and potentially mudslides, depending on how long the storm remains over the islands.

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Tropical Storm Fengshen has formed in the eastern Pacific near the Phillipines. Conditions are right for a potential for Fengshen to develop into a typhoon. The current track is expected to take the storm away from the Phillipines but it may affect Japan sometime next week. (AccuWeather.com)

The Japan Meteorological Agency still considers this storm a tropical depression with sustained winds of only 30 kts and gusts of 45. Strengthening is expected over the next 24 hours and typhoon strength winds should be seen after that.