Typhoon Fitow (Quedan) Update #8

Issued (14 UTC) 10pm PhT 100413

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Fitow (Bagyong Quedan) continues to intensify and is now a Category 2 Typhoon. The eye of Fitow was last located approximately southeast of Okinawa, Japan. Maximum sustained winds are up to 155kph with gusts of up to 195kph. Typhoon Fitow is moving north northwestward at 10kph.

Kadena Airforce Base is now under TCCOR 1 for the possibility of destructive winds of 50kt (95kph) or greater in the next 12 hours. Residents are advised to start stocking up on supplies and move away from accident prone and low-lying areas. We are urging residents from other islands in the area to take the same precautions. Stay safe!

IR Image from NRLMRY

Latest satellite image shows the eye of Fitow continues to improve. Strong convective bands are also continuing to form around the center. Radial outflow remains robust as well, especially the northern side which is being enhanced by the upper-level trough. Fitow should continue to intensify and reach peak intensity by tomorrow morning before starting to weaken over the weekend.

Radar Image from JMA

Latest radar image from JMA shows bands of light to moderate rains are now beginning to impact Okinawa and nearby islands in the region. Furthermore, the eyewall is beginning to be picked up by radar as it moves slowly from the south. We expect rains and winds to continue to increase in intensity later tonight and into tomorrow. For the latest radar images, weather forecasts, and warnings from Japan, please click HERE

Typhoon Fitow will continue moving very slowly in the next few hours as a ridge of high pressure builds to the north. Strong winds and heavy rains will affect Okinawa and the Miyako Islands in the next 24 to 48 hours. We expect the eye to pass very near Miyakojima later tomorrow with winds of up to 160kph possible. Even Okinawa could see typhoon winds of more than 120kph tomorrow. Rainfall amounts of up to 200mm are also possible.

Fitow will then head northwestward, possibly making landfall in Eastern China by Monday afternoon as a weakening typhoon.

We’ll have another update tomorrow morning. Please stay safe!