Typhoon Malakas Update #2

Issued (04 UTC) 12pm PhT 091916
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Typhoon Malakas is now heading towards Mainland Japan and is currently forecast to make landfall in the island of Kyushu later this evening. The eye of Malakas was last located approximately 300km southwest of the city of Kagoshima. Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 195kph with gusts of up to 240kph. Typhoon Malakas is currently moving northeastward at northeast at 20kph.

IR Image from NRLMRY

 
Aided by good upper-level environment across Eastern China, Typhoon Malakas was able to regain some intensity in the past 36 hours. Latest satellite image shows a cloud-free eye surrounded by strong convective activity as well as a near symmetrical appearance along with excellent poleward outflow. It is forecast to retain its Category 3 intensity before rapidly weakening as it crosses the Japanese Islands.

Radar Image from JMA

 
Latest radar image from Japan shows the eye getting closer to the island of Kyushu. Outer rain bands have begun to make their way towards the region with heavier rains about to move inland in a few hours. Due to steady northeastward movement of Malakas, rainfall accumulations won't be as high as that seen in parts of Taiwan and Southeastern China with Typhoon Meranti. Nevertheless, we are still expecting rainfall amounts of anywhere from 100 to as much as 300mm. Some mountainous areas in Kyushu, Shikoku, and Western Honshu, may receive upwards of up to 500mm in the next 2 days.

For the latest radar images and weather warnings for Japan, please click HERE (JMA)

Typhoon Malakas is forecast to make landfall in the prefecture of Kagoshima in Kyushu Island later this evening. It will then track northeastward brushing the island of Shikoku by tomorrow and then onwards towards Southern Honshu. Malakas is also forecast to rapidly weaken as upper-level environment becomes hostile for tropical cyclones.

Typhoon Malakas Update #1

Issued (06 UTC) 2pm PhT 091716
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Typhoon Malakas (Formerly Bagyong Gener) is currently moving through the East China Sea affecting parts of Taiwan and the Southern Japanese Islands. The typhoon's center was last located approximately 130km east northeast of Taipei, Taiwan or about 500km west southwest of Naha, Japan. Maximum sustained winds are at 205kph with gusts of up to 250kph making Malakas a Category 3 Typhoon in the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Typhoon Malakas is moving northward at 15kph.

IR Image from NOAA

 
Latest satellite image shows the eye has become clouded once again and the overall circulation has degraded over the past 12 hours. This is most likely due to the interaction with the topography of Taiwan as well as a slight increase in wind shear in the area. Despite the "weakening", Typhoon Malakas managed to bring some very strong winds across the Yaeyema Islands of Japan. Latest data showed some of the islands received wind gusts of up to 220kph as the eyewall moved through the area earlier this morning.

Radar Image from CWB

 
As with any tropical cyclone, rain is a major threat along with strong winds. Latest radar image from Taiwan shows the bulk of the heavy rains associated with Malakas are over water. Outer rain bands are still impacting Northern and Central Taiwan, including the city of Taipei. Rains should slowly move northward, along with the system, over the next 12 hours and rainfall accumulations are not going to be as high as when Meranti hit Taiwan less than a week ago.

For the latest radar image out of Taiwan, please click HERE (CWB Taiwan)

Typhoon Malakas is forecast to turn to the northeast and possibly retain its intensity as it makes its way towards Mainland Japan. Current forecast consensus is taking Malakas towards the island of Kyushu as early as Tuesday morning. If we don't see any significant weakening until then, we may see a Category 1 make landfall in the said island.

Tropical Storm Meranti Update #4 (FINAL)

Issued (06 UTC) 2pm PhT 091516
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Tropical Storm Meranti continues to weaken as it moves further inland across Southern China. The storm's center was last located approximately 120km northwest of Xiamen. Maximum sustained winds are down to 100kph with gusts of up to 130kph. TS Meranti is currently moving north northwest at 20kph.

IR Image from NRLMRY

 
Latest satellite image shows what once was a Super Typhoon, gradually dissipating over Fujian Province in China. Meranti made landfall earlier this morning as a Category 3 typhoon just east of Xiamen City. Wind gusts of up to 180kph were recorded in some places, along with continuous heavy rains.

Tropical Storm Meranti will continue weakening as it moves over land but will also continue bringing rains across much of Southeastern China for the next 24 to 48 hours. Rainfall accumulations of 200mm or more are still possible across Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang Provinces over the next few days.

This will be our final update on Tropical Storm Meranti.

IR Image from NOAA

 
Meanwhile, the other Tropical System we've been watching continues to march through the Philippine Sea today. Typhoon Malakas (Bagyong Gener) was last located approximately 730km east of Aparri. Maximum sustained winds are at 150kph with gusts of up to 185kph. The system is moving northwestward at 20kph.

Typhoon Malakas is not forecast to directly impact the Philippines as it is forecast to curve more to the northwest possibly towards Taiwan and the Southern Japanese Islands.

We'll have a more in-depth update on Malakas in a separate post.