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Usagi (Bagyong Odette) has slightly weakened and is no longer a Super Typhoon. However, Usagi remains a very powerful and dangerous cyclone as it makes its way into the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea. The eye of Usagi was last located approximately 270km west northwest of Basco, Batanes; 350km north northwest of Laoag, Ilocos Norte; or about 470km south southeast of Taipei, Taiwan. Maximum sustained winds have weakened to 205kph with gusts of up to 250kph. Typhoon Usagi is moving west northwestward at 20kph.
As of 5pm this afternoon, PAGASA has dropped Signal #4 and Signal #3. However, Public Storm Warning Signal #2 is still in effect for Batanes Group of Islands, Calayan, and Babuyan Islands. Signal #1 for Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Mt. province.
The provinces above will continue to have strong winds and heavy rains throughout the night. Conditions should start to improve by late tomorrow afternoon as Usagi moves away from the region.
IR Image from NOAA
Latest satellite image shows Usagi is looking somewhat worse than it did yesterday. The eye is no longer highly discernible but the typhoon, as a whole, remains very symmetrical with ample convective activity and good radial outflow. The eyewall replacement cycle continues to progress and we're starting to see the inner core give way; we should start to see a new eye form by tomorrow morning.
Radar Image from CWB Taiwan
Radar image from Taiwan shows the eye of Usagi moving south of the island. Widespread rains are still affecting parts of Taiwan, however, and have already dropped up to 300mm of rain in some areas. Some parts of Southern Taiwan could see another 100mm of rain tonight and into tomorrow. Rains should end gradually tomorrow afternoon. For the latest updates and more radar images from Taiwan, click HERE (CWB Website).
Typhoon Usagi will continue moving west northwestward, weakening along the way. It will approach Hong Kong by early Monday morning as a Category 2 typhoon. Strong winds, heavy rains, and significant storm surge is possible in Hong Kong as well as other parts of coastal Southern China. Upon landfall, Usagi should weaken quickly but will continue to bring widespread in the region.
We'll have another update tomorrow morning.
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