Typhoon Dolphin is expected to undergo explosive intensification over the western Pacific, with forecasters warning it could become one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded.
The latest storm update on July 28 said Dolphin had strengthened into a severe tropical storm over the western North Pacific and was likely to intensify rapidly over the next 12 hours as it moved through exceptionally favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Satellite imagery shows the storm's eye beginning to form. Strong upper-level outflow, combined with other highly favourable environmental conditions, is expected to fuel rapid strengthening in the coming hours.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecasts that Dolphin will intensify into a violent typhoon by July 30, making it the third storm to reach that intensity in the western Pacific basin during the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) expects Dolphin to reach Category 5 super typhoon strength on July 30.
Forecasters say the storm is entering a period of rapid intensification (RI) over the next 24 hours, as surrounding conditions become increasingly conducive to further strengthening.
Because Dolphin is not expected to interact with land during the next seven days, meteorologists say the system could continue intensifying and potentially become one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever observed.