Tropical Depression Could Strengthen into Strong Typhoon, Threaten Japan or Taiwan Next Week

Tom Moore
Published: September 9,2016
Tropical Depression 16W is organizing rapidly west of Guam and is forecast to become a strong typhoon and it could threaten Japan's Ryukyu Islands or Taiwan next week.
(MORE: Typhoon Alley: Where The Most Intense Tropical Cyclones Most Frequently Occur)

Tropical Depression 16W Info

As of Friday, the depression was centered about 150 miles west of Guam. It continues to become more organized and it should strengthen to a tropical storm by Friday night (EDT) as it tracks west-northwest.

Weekend: Intensification to a Tropical Storm and Typhoon Expected

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center,  the depression will intensify gradually over the next couple of days and become Tropical Storm Meranti. It will encounter a bit of wind shear, but not enough to inhibit development. The future Meranti is forecast to become a typhoon by late Saturday.
There is no threat to any land masses this weekend.
(MORE: Next Atlantic Named Storm Could be Coming Next Week)

Next Week: Land in Play? 

Early next week, what should be Typhoon Meranti will move into an even more favorable environment for development. It should be steered more to the northwest around a ridge of high pressure aloft and wind shear will be significantly reduced.
This could result in rapid strengthening.
Although there is uncertainty in the forecast track, all interests in the Ryukyu Islands (including Okinawa and Amami Great Island) along with Taiwan, should monitor its progress and take appropriate action if needed.
The time frame for possible impacts will likely be from Tuesday night to Thursday (EDT).
The latest advisory issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center indicated that the future Meranti will likely be a strong typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph by Wednesday, just shy of being a super typhoon.
Down the road, it could curl northward and pose a threat to other parts of Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Tropical Depression 16W Projected Path and Intensity

PHOTOS: Nepartak Impacts Taiwan and China (Early July 2016)