Typhoon is strengthening

Typhoon Nuri, currently located approximately 610 mi/980 km east-northeast of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, showed signs of strengthening on 19 August 2008. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm will track west-northwest at 17 mph/15 kt over the next six hours and is scheduled to move into the Bashi Channel within 48 hours. Nuri is expected to strengthen over the next 72 hours and currently has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph/65 kt with gusts over 148 mph/80 kt. Taiwanese officials have issued a typhoon warning for waters south of the country, which could be affected by Nuri by 21 August.