Darilaut – Tropical Storm In-fa strengthened into a typhoon near the Marshall Islands, in the western Pacific Ocean, on Monday (October 26) morning. In-fa is expected to continue intensifying over the next few days.
In-fa—designated as the 31st typhoon of the season—was located 582 km northwest of Kwajalein over the past six hours, moving in a north-northwesterly direction at a speed of 17 km/h (9 knots).
The maximum significant wave height has reached 7.6 meters (25 feet), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
In-fa has been moving in a north-northwesterly direction. It is expected to gradually shift toward the west and slow down over the next two days as it encounters an easterly flow. Following this, the system is projected to accelerate toward the west or west-northwest.
The JTWC notes that the storm’s highly compact core is likely to intensify further—potentially undergoing rapid intensification—given current conditions: moderate wind shear, very warm sea surface temperatures, and strong poleward outflow over the next 24 hours.
Additionally, the slower movement over the next 1 to 2 days may trigger the upwelling of cooler water from deeper layers; consequently, forecasts indicate a relatively stable intensity during this period.
A second phase of intensification is expected to begin once the system gains sufficient forward speed and continues moving over waters with very warm sea surface temperatures.
According to the JTWC, the internal dynamics of this tropical cyclone are difficult to predict, introducing further uncertainty regarding its intensity. Therefore, the JTWC forecast maintains the same intensity level for the next 4 to 5 days.
Almost all current forecast models indicate a turn toward the west over the next 2 days.
HAFS-A and COAMPS-TC predict that In-fa will intensify, reaching 220–240 km/h (120–130 knots) within 36 hours.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reports that In-fa is moving in a north-northwesterly direction at a speed of 15 km/h (9 knots).
The system has a central pressure of 992 hPa (hectopascals), with maximum sustained winds of 30 meters per second (60 knots) near the center and peak instantaneous wind gusts of 45 meters per second (85 knots).
According to the JTWC, the area experiencing winds of 50 knots or greater extends 75 km (40 nautical miles) from the center, while the area with strong winds of 30 knots or greater spans 220 km (120 nautical miles).