By Courtney Spamer, Meteorologist
October 23,2013; 8:38PM,EDT
Francisco will turn to the northeast of Japan late this week as it weakens. However, it will still bring heavy rain and a risk of flooding to part of the nation.
Francisco was approaching southern Japan Wednesday, but will turn to the northeast as it weakens, with help from Super Typhoon Lekima.
Although the tropical cyclone has been following a track similar to deadly Typhoon Wipha from last week, Francisco will curve to the northeast before reaching much of Japan.
Francisco has weakened greatly since reaching its peak intensity early this week. Additional weakening is expected over the next few days.
Sideswiping southeastern Japan as a tropical storm, periods of heavy rain are still expected to impact the country through the first half of the weekend.
As much as 150-250 mm (6-10 inches) of rain are expected between Miyazaki and Oshaka. Across the Tokyo metropolitan area, one of the hardest hit by Typhoon Wipha, rainfall totals between 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) is forecast through Saturday night.
Much of southern and eastern Japan has already had a considerably wet October, with some areas doubling their normal monthly rainfall totals thus far. The additional rain to come with Francisco will add to the threat for flooding and mudslides with the heaviest rain.
Unlike Wipha, the winds from Francisco will be noticeably lighter. Sustained winds are expected to gust up to 30 mph, with isolated gusts to 40 mph on the coastal areas of eastern Kyushu, southern Shikoku and southern Honshu.
The weakened state of Francisco is contributed to a number a factors, including cooler northern waters. But a front pushing through eastern China, which will also help to clear the thick smog in Harbin, will steer Francisco eastward.
RELATED:
Typhoon Wipha Leaves Dozens Missing in Japan
AccuWeather Severe Weather Center
AccuWeather Hurricane Center
Additionally, Super Typhoon Lekima pushing northward in open waters of the Pacific will be pulling Francisco southward.
Lekima, which strengthened to a super typhoon Wednesday morning, EDT, was estimated to have a central pressure of 905 mb, making it the strongest typhoon of the 2013 season.
On Social Media
CyG_JP
CyG_JP
NASA sees heavy rain in Typhoon Francisco, now affecting southern Japanese islands bit.ly/1aGqVmG
Eboni Deon
ebonideon
Japan braces for heavy rain w/Typhoon Francisco near. Lekima (cat 5) is just east. Flooding/landslides threaten area pic.twitter.com/qsOEtwDt4P
Susie Martin Wx
smartinWNTV
Super #typhoon #Lekima looking incredible on visible satellite! Forecast shows it turning away from #Japan. pic.twitter.com/7VIEePLkaR
14m
No comments:
Post a Comment