Typhoon Roke Update #12

Typhoon Roke has rapidly intensified this past 12 hours and is now a Category 3 Major Typhoon. The center of the storm was last located approximately 280km south southeast of Miyazaki (Kyushu) or about 1,000km southwest of Tokyo. Maximum sustained winds are now at 185kph gusting to 230kph. Roke is moving north northeastward at 20kph.

Latest VIS Image shows the well-defined eye with surrounded by an intense ring of convective banding. Conditions are very favorable right now due to the weak wind shear and warm sea temperatures which we have discussed in our previous update from yesterday. It is possible Roke strengthens a little bit more tonight before starting to weaken tomorrow. There are no signs yet of eyewall replacement cycle.

VIS Image from NRLMRY

This radar image from JMA shows the coverage of the banding of moderate to heavy rain around Roke's eye. You can also see that the outer rain bands are now affecting much of Kyushu and including Shikoku.

Radar image from JMA, for more images click HERE

Typhoon Roke will remain south of Kyushu and Shikoku and is forecast to make landfall on Shizuoka Prefecture tomorrow.

We'll have more on our update coming up at 3pm today!
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Issued (0330 UTC) 092011