TOKYO - Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) is expected to make landfall near Ibaraki Prefecture between around 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on August 11, bringing rapidly strengthening winds, high waves and heavy rain to parts of Kanto and southern Tohoku, with unsettled weather potentially continuing even after the storm moves inland.
As of the morning of August 11, the typhoon was located east of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture and moving west-northwest. It is forecast to gradually turn west as it moves around the edge of a cold-core low descending southward off the Boso Peninsula, making landfall near Ibaraki increasingly likely during the evening.
The storm had a central atmospheric pressure of 985 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 23 meters per second. Although it was not accompanied by a storm-wind zone, winds and waves are expected to strengthen quickly during the afternoon along the Pacific coasts of Kanto and southern Tohoku.
Northerly winds were already blowing along coastal areas from the Pacific side of Tohoku through Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures while the typhoon's center remained offshore. Waves are expected to rise steadily, with suddenly larger waves possible along beaches and breakwaters. People are being urged to stay away from the coast.
Rain clouds had also begun spreading over areas including the Hamadori coastal region of Fukushima Prefecture and the Sendai Plain, and are expected to extend into Kanto before noon. As the typhoon approaches and makes landfall from the evening into early night, southern Kanto, including Tokyo, could experience intense rain, with thunderstorms possible in some areas.
Heavy rain could continue through the night and into August 12. While the storm is currently forecast to move roughly westward, reaching the Tokai region by early August 12 and moving toward the Sanyo region by August 13, its movement could become more complicated after the evening of August 11.
Even if the center moves farther west, strong rain could persist in Kanto, Tokai and along the Pacific coast of Tohoku through August 12, with some areas facing intense rainfall accompanied by thunder. Rain is forecast to remain over Kanto and Tokai through around midday on August 12, and heavy downpours could continue even after the typhoon itself has passed.
Winds in Kanto are expected to be strongest around the time of the storm's closest approach, particularly at around 6 p.m. on August 11. Strong northeasterly winds are forecast along coastal areas of Ibaraki, while strong southerly winds could affect the Izu Islands and Boso Peninsula. Strong winds are also possible around Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay.
Wave heights along parts of the Hamadori coast of Fukushima Prefecture could exceed 6 meters by around 3 p.m. on August 11. The area of high waves is expected to move closer to the coast along with the typhoon before gradually easing after the storm makes landfall.
The timing of the typhoon's closest approach also coincides with the day's second high tide, increasing the risk of elevated sea levels in some coastal areas. At Chiba Port, the second high tide is forecast for 5:07 p.m. on August 11, with the tide reaching about 198 centimeters. High waves associated with the typhoon could combine with storm surge conditions, raising the risk of coastal flooding.
Strong wind and high-wave warnings had already been issued for parts of Ibaraki Prefecture as of around 6:30 a.m. on August 11.
With only limited time remaining before the storm's arrival, residents are being urged to complete final preparations, including bringing indoors objects that could be blown away and fully charging smartphones in case of power outages.
People planning to travel to Tohoku or Kanto should continue checking the latest typhoon and transportation information both before departure and while traveling. The areas and timing of the storm's effects could change depending on its track and speed, and travelers are advised to consider changing their plans as conditions develop.
Source: ウェザーニュース
