Strengthening Typhoon Noul Targets Philippines; Taiwan and Japan on Alert

By Adam Douty, Meteorologist

May 9,2015; 11:30AM,EDT

 

 

Residents of the Philippines should continue to monitor Typhoon Noul closely as it approaches and makes landfall in the northeast on Sunday. Noul is expected to be the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane with peak winds near 220 km/h (140 mph) when it makes landfall.
While Noul was still strengthening, Yap took the brunt of the storm on Wednesday, local time, as torrential rain and strong winds battered the island. Rainfall totaled more than 300 mm (12 inches) before rainfall tapered off Wednesday night.
Yap was struck by Super Typhoon Maysak at the end of March and early April. Major damage ensued across parts of the island.
Although impacts were not as extreme from Noul, the combination of heavy rain and strong winds caused a new round of damage.

Noul is currently moving toward the northwest, but an eventual turn more to the north is expected as it moves past the northern Philippines.
Latest indications point toward Noul tracking over the northeast coast of Luzon, before moving north and northeast. This track will take Noul to the east of Taiwan, though some rain and wind is possible in eastern parts of the island.
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Anyone with interests in the northern Philippines should continue to check back with AccuWeather.com for the latest updates as Noul move past the country.
Confidence remains high that Manila will escape the worst impacts from Noul; however, a couple of gusty showers and thunderstorms are still expected through Sunday.

Any widespread damage will be limited to northern Luzon, especially areas near the northeast coast where the central core of Noul will pass over.
These areas can expect 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of rain, with localized amounts up to 300 mm (12 inches). This rainfall will lead to flooding and the threat for mudslides in mountains terrain.
As Noul moves through the Philippine Sea, seas will be extremely dangerous with rough surf continuing along the eastern beaches of the Philippines into the start of the week.
Based on the current forecast track, the most hazardous and life-threatening conditions for boaters and swimmers will be along the eastern coast of Luzon. However, residents along the eastern coast as far south as Mindanao will still notice an increase in seas and the rip current threat.

AccuWeather.com meteorologists will also keep a close eye on any potential impacts Noul will pose to Japan, especially the Ryukyu Islands, early next week.
Noul is expected to begin weakening after interacting with Luzon, but the storm could still bring heavy rainfall and locally strong winds as it accelerates to the northeast. Noul will eventually become non-tropical is the circulation is absorbed into a cold front.
The moisture from Noul can enhance rainfall across Japan during the first half of next week with the potential for some flooding in Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu. This is especially true along the southern-facing sides of the islands.
Another tropical system has joined Noul in the western Pacific, as Tropical Storm Dolphin developed to the southeast of Guam. Residents of Guam should monitor this storm for any impacts during the middle of next week as the eventual track will bring the strengthening storm near the island.
AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to the content of this story.