NAHA - Large Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) was over central China at 9 p.m. on July 12 and moving north-northwest, with the storm expected to weaken as it continues northwest before turning into an extratropical cyclone that will merge with the rainy season front and bring rain mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan coast.
Satellite images show the typhoon has weakened considerably since making landfall, with far fewer tall clouds appearing clearly in infrared imagery. However, the cloud swirl remains distinct, indicating that the storm is still maintaining typhoon strength.
As of 9 p.m. on July 12, Typhoon No. 9 remained large, with a central pressure of 985 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds near its center of 20 meters per second. It was moving northwest at 25 kilometers per hour.
The storm is expected to continue on a northerly track for a time through July 13 before gradually turning east. The latest forecast now indicates that it may still retain typhoon strength as of the night of July 14, with maximum winds of 18 meters per second.
Although winds near the center are not expected to be especially strong on July 14, a broad area of stronger winds is forecast over the sea from eastern China toward the Yellow Sea, helping the storm maintain its strength for some time. After moving near the Yellow Sea, strong winds over the water are expected to continue, particularly along the western coast of the Korean Peninsula.
The system is then forecast to move northeast over the Sea of Japan while transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, reaching waters west of Hokkaido by the night of July 15.
High waves caused by the typhoon are expected to continue on July 13. Waves may reach close to 3 meters in parts of the Okinawa region. Although the weather is expected to improve across Okinawa’s main island and Amami, with many areas likely to see sunny conditions on July 13, caution will still be needed for marine leisure activities.
Swell and somewhat higher waves are also expected along parts of the Pacific coast from Kanto to Kyushu, requiring continued caution in coastal areas.
After the typhoon becomes an extratropical cyclone, it is expected to merge with the seasonal rain front and pass over northern Japan and areas along the Sea of Japan coast through July 16. Moist air originating from the typhoon will flow into the front, making rain clouds more likely to develop.
Rain may intensify from the night of July 15 through July 16, particularly in northern Japan and on the Sea of Japan side, including Hokuriku. Localized heavy rain is possible, and close attention will be needed to how the rain develops from July 15 onward.
Source: ウェザーニュース
