Tropical Storm “Faxai” developed in Northwestern Pacific

Tropical Storm "Faxai" organized on February 28, 2014 in Northwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island of Guam and Andersen Air Force Base.

System 93W formed into Tropical Depression 03W early on February 28. By 15:00 UTC, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm with sustained winds near 35 knots (62 km/h, 40 mph) and was named Faxai. 

MTSAT IR satellite image of TS Faxai taken on March 1, 2014 at 23:30 UTC (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)

MTSAT visible and AVN IR satellite image of TS Faxai taken on March 1, 2014 at 23:32 UTC (Credit: NOAA/MTSAT)

Faxai is now moving to the north-northeast at speed of 5 knots (9 km/h, 5.6 miles). According to latest report by Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Tropical Storm Faxai is located approximately 379 nm southeast of Andersen AFB. Maximum recorded sustained winds are 50 knots (93 km/h, 57.8 mph) with gusts up to 65 knots (120 km/h, 74.5 mph).

TS Faxai forecast track (Credit: JTWC)

By March 3, Faxai is expected to intensify to hurricane- force over open waters of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Satellite Animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)

• Tropical West Pacific Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA)

Featured image: TS Faxai on March 1, 2014 (Blue Marble/courtesy of NASA)