In the wake of Super Typhoon Meranti, Tropical Storm Malakas has formed in the western Pacific and as weather.com reports, it could threaten Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and possibly the country’s mainland.
Latest reports predict that Malakas will develop gradually taking a northwesterly track before curling northeastward.
As of Tuesday night (EDT), Tropical Storm Malakas was centered about 800 miles east of Manila, Philippines, and was moving gradually west-northwestward.
Its development has been hindered a bit by sinking air resulting from the outflow of Super Typhoon Meranti to its northwest and a bit of wind shear.
Atmospheric conditions are expected to gradually improve and Makakas should become a typhoon today.
After that time, conditions should become even more favorable for Malakas to grow stronger once moves out of the influence of Meranti.
Wednesday into Thursday, Malakas should continue to gradually intensify reaching the equivalent of a Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane by Thursday night or early Friday.
