OKINAWA - Typhoon No. 13 was moving slowly west on the night of August 8 and was expected to approach the Chinese mainland by the night of August 9, but Okinawa, Amami and parts of southern Kyushu remained at risk from strong winds, intermittent heavy rain and dangerous seas even as the storm's center moved farther away.
As of 10 p.m. on August 8, the large and very strong typhoon was moving slowly west with a central atmospheric pressure of 945 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 45 meters per second.
Satellite images showed the storm's cloud structure beginning to lose some of its organization, with drier air and areas of thinner cloud moving into the northern and western sides of the circulation. Active rain clouds, however, remained near the center.
A broad area from Amami Oshima through the Sakishima Islands remained within the storm's zone of strong winds.
The typhoon was forecast to continue west or west-northwest without accelerating significantly and move close to the Chinese mainland by the night of August 9 while still maintaining strong intensity.
After making landfall in China, the storm was expected to weaken rapidly.
Strong winds were forecast to continue across Okinawa through August 9.
Although the likelihood of gusts exceeding 30 meters per second was decreasing, sustained winds of more than 15 meters per second and gusts above 20 meters per second were still expected from the Sakishima Islands to Okinawa's main island.
The continuing winds mean conditions could remain hazardous even after the most destructive phase of the storm has passed.
Intermittent heavy rain also remained possible.
As the main cloud bands around the typhoon gradually move away, moist air flowing toward the storm is expected to continue generating rain clouds over Okinawa, Amami and parts of southern Kyushu.
Rain could intensify locally in parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures as well as Okinawa and Amami.
Strong winds combined with rain could produce wind-driven downpours, making travel and outdoor activity hazardous.
Particular caution was urged around Amami Oshima, where earlier heavy rain has left the ground saturated and increased the risk of landslides.
Dangerous seas are expected to persist even longer than the rain and wind.
Waves of 5 to 6 meters were forecast around Okinawa and Amami on the morning of August 9, while waves exceeding 3 meters were expected around southern Kyushu.
By the night of August 9, waves of around 5 meters could still affect Okinawa, with seas above 3 meters around Kyushu.
High waves are expected to continue for some time even after the typhoon reaches the Chinese mainland, leaving coastal and marine areas vulnerable after weather conditions on land begin to improve.
Residents were urged to remain alert until strong winds, rainfall and rough seas have fully subsided.
Source: ウェザーニュース
