NW PACIFIC OCEAN – Satellite Data Shows System 99W Slowly Coming Together
Recent animated multispectral satellite imagery of the tropical low pressure area designated "System 99W" showed a slowly-consolidating low-level circulation center with persistent deep convection.
System 99W is located near 1.1 degree north latitude and 175.3 west longitude, approximately 1115 nautical miles east-southeast of Kwajalein Atoll.
A satellite image showed fragmented bands of thunderstorms over the southern quadrant of the storm, wrapping into the low-level center. This infrared image from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite was taken on Dec. 30 at 13:16 UTC (8:16 a.m. EST) Yellow and green areas show the coldest cloud top temperatures and strong thunderstorms around the consolidating center of circulation. (the vertical black lines depict no data).
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted an Upper-Level analysis showed a marginally-favorable environment, with moderate southeasterly vertical wind shear and strong poleward diffluence aloft.
Although global computer models differ about development, they do generally agree that the low pressure area will track across the International Dateline in about 3 days.
Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 20 to 25 knots. Minimum sea level
Pressure is estimated to be near 1003 millibars. The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours is upgraded to medium.
Image Credit: NASA/NOAA/NRL
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