TOKYO - Typhoon No. 17 (Nangka) remained near Minamitorishima as of 3 a.m. on August 14 and is expected to stay relatively weak, but forecasters warned that high waves and sudden swells could affect Japan's Pacific coast, posing a risk to swimmers and others enjoying marine activities during the summer holiday period.
The typhoon had a central atmospheric pressure of 990 hectopascals, maximum sustained winds of 20 meters per second near its center and maximum gusts of 30 meters per second.
The storm was moving east-northeast at about 30 kilometers per hour.
Conditions in the atmosphere along the typhoon's projected path are not favorable for significant development, and the storm is expected to remain close to the lower end of typhoon strength throughout its lifetime.
The typhoon is forecast to continue northeastward for a time before gradually turning toward the north and northwest and heading toward waters east of Japan. Its forward speed is also expected to slow considerably from August 15.
Forecasts indicate that the storm could maintain a central pressure of around 990 to 1,000 hectopascals as it moves northward through around the middle of next week.
Typhoon No. 17 is not currently expected to directly affect Honshu, but depending on its eventual track, it could influence eastern Japan following Typhoon No. 15.
The storm could also strengthen the flow of moist air around the Pacific high-pressure system. Combined with colder air aloft, this could contribute to the development of localized thunderstorms and sudden heavy rain.
Forecasters are particularly urging caution along Pacific coastal areas, where waves could become higher even while the typhoon remains far offshore.
People visiting beaches or taking part in other marine activities should be alert for sudden large waves and swells that can arrive from a distant typhoon.
Considerable uncertainty remains over the storm's future path. The forecast cone is large, reflecting substantial differences among weather simulations and making the typhoon's eventual impact difficult to predict accurately.
Authorities are urging people to continue checking the latest forecasts as the storm changes direction and moves closer to waters east of Japan.
Source: ウェザーニュース
