Typhoon Haima May Become a Super Typhoon; Northern Philippines, Taiwan, Southeast China Threat Late in the Week

Jon Erdman
Published: October 16,2016
Typhoon Haima is poised to intensify quickly in the western Pacific Ocean and may reach super typhoon status before posing a threat to the northern Philippines, Taiwan and southern China in the week ahead.
(MORE: Hurricane Central)
Haima was centered over 225 miles north-northwest of the Yap Islands as of Sunday.
Infrared satellite imagery indicates a concentrated core of convection around the center of the tropical cyclone, as well as impressive banding, indicative of strong upper-level outflow jets.

Current Storm Information, Infrared Satellite Image

This outflow of winds aloft exhausting the top of Haima, low wind shear and warm, deep ocean water has set the stage for Haima to undergo rapid intensification at some point early in the week ahead. Haima could become a super typhoon (defined as those with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph or higher) during that time.
(MORE: Typhoon Alley...Where the Most Intense Tropical Cyclones Most Frequently Happen)
Steered by high pressure aloft to its north, Haima may threaten Luzon, Philippines, or Taiwan late Wednesday or Thursday, potentially as a strong typhoon.
(INTERACTIVE: Wundermap Forecast Path)

Forecast Rainfall: Haima/Liwan

This would be the second typhoon to affect Luzon in about five days, following this weekend's hit from Typhoon Sarika/Karen.
Therefore, along with the dangers of storm surge flooding and damaging winds, rainfall flooding and landslides would also be major threats in Luzon, given saturated ground from Sarika/Karen.
Taiwan is also typhoon-weary, having absorbed three strikes from Nepartak in July, Meranti in mid-September and Megi in late September, not to mention a glancing swipe from another September typhoon, Malakas.
(FORECAST: Manila | Taipei)
Beyond that, Haima will likely round the base of the upper-level high and curl toward landfall in southeast China late in the week. Interests in Hong Kong should monitor the progress of Haima closely.
(MORE: Countries Most Hit By Tropical Cyclones)
Haima, incidentally, will be given the name "Lawin" by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Check back with us at weather.com for the latest on this typhoon threat.

MORE: Typhoon Megi Hits Taiwan, China (PHOTOS)