____________________________
Typhoon Fitow (Bagyong Quedan) continues to move closer towards the Southern Japanese Islands this morning. The eye of the typhoon was last located approximately 220km south of Okinawa or about 250km east of Miyako-jima. Maximum sustained winds have further increased to 165kph with gusts of up to 195kph. Typhoon Fitow is moving west northwestward at 15kph.
Kadena Airforce Base is now at TCCOR 1-Caution as the area is now beginning to report tropical storm-force winds of up to 80kph. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency continues to post High Waves warning and advisories regarding wind and heavy rains.
IR Image from FNMOC
Latest satellite image shows the eye of Fitow shrinking a bit while convective activity has remained somewhat the same since yesterday. Radial outflow is still excellent and is helping to offset the effects of increasing wind shear in the region. The satellite shot above also shows the newest tropical cyclone in the Pacific-Tropical Storm Danas. That system will move northwestward and could become a typhoon as well.
Radar Image from JMA
Latest radar shows bands of light to moderate rains are now impacting Okinawa. There are also some pockets of heavy rains that could drop 10 to 20mm of rain in one hour. Outer bands should also begin to affect the Miyako Islands to the west in the next few hours. Aside from the rains, winds of up to 80kph are starting to be reported in the region. Miyako could see the strongest winds later today with 160kph possible as the eye passes near the said island. For the latest radar image and warnings from Japan, please click HERE (JMA Website)
Typhoon Fitow will continue moving west northwestward passing between Okinawa and Miyako Islands later today. Both areas will experience destructive winds, heavy rains, and high waves that could last through tomorrow morning. Fitow will, then, begin to weaken as it moves into cooler waters and higher wind shear. However, Fitow could still maintain typhoon intensity as it makes landfall in Fujian/Zhejiang Provinces in Eastern China by early Monday morning.
We'll have another update.
No comments:
Post a Comment