CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A new tropical storm could make for a wet and windy wrap-up to a U.S military exercise in the Philippines.
The 22nd storm of the northwest Pacific’s tropical cyclone season, on track Friday to hit Manila on Sunday, could grow into a typhoon when it makes landfall.
Marines and sailors participating in the region in the Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise are to conclude training this weekend.
The storm, named Cimaron, a Tagalog word for Filipino wild ox, spawned overnight Thursday well southeast of Okinawa. Officials at Kadena Air Base’s 18th Wing Weather Flight said the storm poses no immediate threat to the Okinawa and should pass well to its southwest.
“We’ll keep an eye on it,” said Master Sgt. Brian McDonald of the 18th Wing Weather Flight. “It should be a typhoon as it reaches Manila.”
At midnight Friday, Cimaron was 897 miles south-southeast of Kadena, churning west-northwest at 9 mph with sustained winds of 46 mph and 58 mph gusts at its center. It’s forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane-equivalent by 9 p.m. Sunday, packing sustained 81-mph winds and 98-mph gusts. Cimaron is forecast to pass 105 miles north of Manila at 7 a.m. Monday, bringing sustained 75 mph winds and 92 mph gusts at its center.
