Tropical Storm Matmo on the track to become new typhoon

The tenth tropical depression of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean has become better organized and is now named Tropical Storm Matmo (Henry for Philippines). Favorable sea surface temperatures and improved upper-level conditions will allow the system to further intensify.

MTSAT IR satellite image of tropical disturbances across western Pacific at 23:30 UTC on July 18, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)

According to latest report by Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) at 21:00 UTC on July 18, 2014, the center of Tropical Storm Matmo was located approximately 244 nm north-northwest of Koror and was moving westward at speed of 17 km/h (10.5 mph). Maximum sustained winds were 83 km/h (51 mph) with gusts up to 102 km/h (63 mph).

MTSAT's AVN IR and visible satellite image of TS Matmo at 23:14 UTC on JUly 18, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/MTSAT)

Aqua/MODIS false-colored infrared satellite image taken at 16:59 UTC on July 17, 2014 shows the concentration of the strongest thunderstorms (purple) around Tropical Storm Matmo's center and a band of thunderstorms west of center. (Credit: NASA/JPL/Ed Olsen)

JTWC forecast calls for Matmo to reach typhoon intensity by July 20, 2014 as it continues on a northwesterly track toward landfall in northern Taiwan around July 23, 2014 as a Category 2 typhoon.