Tropical Storm “Ampil” forms in the Philippine Sea, heading toward Ryukyu and China

Tropical Storm "Ampil," known as Inday in the Philippines, formed July 18, 2018, northeast of the Philippines as the 10^th named storm of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season. Ampil will continue intensifying over the next 3 days and its current forecast track takes it very close to Okinawa, Japan on July 21.

At 15:00 UTC on July 18, the center of Tropical Storm "Ampil" was located about 790 km (490 miles) south of Okinawa, Japan and the system has tracked eastward at 18 km/h (11 mph) over the past 6 hours, according to the JTWC.

Its 10-minute sustained winds were 65 km/h (40 mph) at the time, while 1-minute sustained winds were at 45 km/h (30 mph), with gusts of up to 95 km/h (60 mph). The minimum barometric pressure was at 996 hPa.

Animated enhanced multispectral infrared imagery shows Ampil is continuing to consolidate but still has an asymmetric cloud field.

Favorable sea surface temperatures and enhanced poleward outflow will allow Ampil to reach the intensity of 85 km/h (52 mph) by 15:00 UTC, July 19. After that, the subtropical ridge will begin to build to the northeast of the system, allowing Ampil to track northwestward toward Ryukyu Islands, Japan.

Favorable environmental conditions are expected to persist through 15:00 UTC, July 21 as Ampil tracks northeastward, reaching an intensity of 111 km/h (70 mph).

Tropical Storm "Ampil" at 19:50 UTC on July 18, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8

After that, the cyclone will continue tracking NW and will lose some strength by the time it reaches the Chinese coast by 15:00 UTC on July 22.

Shortly after that, Ampil will make landfall southeast of Shanghai, Chine with an intensity of 92 km/h (57 mph). At least according to the current JTWC track, which still might change in the days ahead.

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Ampil" at 19:50 UTC on July 18, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8