NAHA - Typhoon No. 24 (Krovahn) was near Minami-Daito Island, about 300 kilometers southeast of Okinawa, as of 3 a.m. on September 7, moving east-northeast at about 10 kilometers per hour and expected to weaken into a tropical depression by the afternoon, although strong winds and high waves were forecast to persist before its remnants move north and potentially intensify the autumn rain front over western and eastern Japan later in the week.
The storm had a central atmospheric pressure of 990 hectopascals, maximum sustained winds of 18 meters per second near its center and maximum gusts of 25 meters per second.
The system was forecast to move into waters northeast of Minami-Daito Island by around 3 p.m. on September 7 and weaken into a tropical depression by that time.
Despite losing typhoon status, strong winds are expected to continue around the system, particularly on its eastern side.
Those winds are also expected to keep seas rough around the Daito Islands, with waves of 4 meters or higher forecast to continue through midday and into the afternoon of September 7.
Residents and people using coastal waters are being urged to remain cautious because dangerous sea conditions are expected to persist even as the storm weakens.
Earlier forecasts showed Krovahn moving northeast after passing close to Minami-Daito Island, while gradually pulling away from Okinawa's main island and the Amami region.
Clouds around the center had already become less organized, signaling that the storm was beginning to weaken, but rain clouds remained around the system as it approached the Daito Islands.
Strong winds around Minami-Daito Island were expected to shift toward the west as the storm passed, with conditions gradually improving after the system moved farther away.
The main concern after Krovahn weakens is expected to shift from the Daito Islands to mainland Japan.
The tropical depression is forecast to continue moving north rather than dissipating immediately and could merge with the autumn rain front around September 9.
Moist air associated with the former typhoon is expected to strengthen the front, raising the possibility of another period of widespread and locally heavy rainfall across western and eastern Japan.
Rain could intensify again from around September 9 into the first half of September 10, with significant accumulations possible over a broad area.
The risk is expected to extend into eastern Japan as well as western areas, meaning the system will continue to require close attention even after it is no longer classified as a typhoon.
Source: ウェザーニュース
