Tropical Storm "Merbok" (04W) has officially formed at 06:00 UTC on June 11, 2017, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the authority for this part of the world. Merbok is heading toward southeast China and Hong Kong. Landfall is expected in China's Guangdong province, east of Hong Kong, late June 12 (UTC).
At 09:45 UTC on June 11, the center of Tropical Storm "Merbok" was located about 583 km (362 miles) NNW of Manila, Philippines and 585 km (373 miles) S of Hong Kong. Merbok is moving north at a speed of 20 km/h (12.4 mph). Maximum wind speed near the center is 67 km/h (41.4 mph), according to the JMA. Merbok's central pressure is 1 002 hPa. Slight intensification is possible.
Tropical Storm "Merbok" forecast track by JMA at 09:00 UTC on June 11, 2017. Credit: JMA
Tropical Storm "Merbok" satellite image on June 11, 2017. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
JMA expects this general motion and speed to continue over the next 24 hours, before the cyclone makes landfall. A turn toward the NNE is expected within the next 48 hours.
At 06:00 UTC on June 13, JMA expects Merbok to be located on the ground, on the border between China's provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. The cyclone is expected to be heading NNE toward Taiwan and to pass just north of Taipei on its way toward Okinawa.
Merbok is currently affecting the Philippines, dropping heavy rain.
Tropical Storm "Merbok" rainfall accumulation ending 06:00 UTC on June 11, 2017. Credit: NASA/JAXA GPM
Featured image: Tropical Storm "Merbok" on June 11, 2017. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
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