 Tropical cyclones that occur within the Northern Hemisphere between the anti-meridian and 100°E, are officially monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA, RSMC Tokyo). Within the region a tropical cyclone is defined to be a non-frontal synoptic scale cyclone originating over tropical or sub-tropical waters, with organized convection and a definite cyclonic surface wind circulation. The lowest classification used by the Typhoon Committee is a tropical depression, which has 10-minute sustained winds of less than 33 kn (17 m / s; 38 mph; 61 km / h). Should the tropical depression intensify further it is named and classified as a tropical storm, which has winds speeds between 33 – 47 kn (17 – 24 m / s; 38 – 54 mph; 61 – 87 km / h). Should the system continue to intensify further then it will be classified as a severe tropical storm, which has winds speeds between 48 – 63 kn (25 – 32 m / s; 55 – 72 mph; 89 – 117 km / h). The highest classification on the Typhoon Committees scale is a typhoon, which has winds speeds greater than 64 kn (33 m / s; 74 mph; 119 km / h).
