Tropical Storm Nepartak Could Threaten East Asia as a Typhoon This Week

July 3,2016
Tropical Storm Nepartak developed this weekend south of Guam and is forecast to potentially threaten parts of east Asia later this week as a typhoon.
Nepartak is the first named storm in the western north Pacific basin since Dec. 17, 2015, setting a new record for the longest stretch without at least a single tropical storm in the western North Pacific basin in 66 years of records (more on that below).
The center of Nepartak will pass southwest of Guam, though some bands of rain and gusty winds are possible there into Monday, local time (Guam is 14 hours ahead of U.S. EDT).
Tropical storm warnings and watches are posted for parts of Micronesia's Yap state into Monday night.

Latest on Nepartak

Forecast: Typhoon Threat For East Asia?

Nepartak is forecast to move west-northwest and then northwest around the periphery of subtropical high pressure that is in place over the western Pacific.
The system is forecast to steadily strengthen and could become a strong typhoon with winds equivalent to a Category 3 or stronger hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
All interests from Taiwan and Japan's Ryukyu Islands to east China should monitor the progress of Nepartak closely. This includes Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.
Any impacts in those areas would be Thursday into Friday, and will depend on the exact track and strength of Nepartak at that time. By next weekend, Nepartak could move near or between South Korea and southern mainland Japan.
Given this forecast is still several days away, uncertainty remains high. Check back for updates.

Projected Path for Nepartak

Record Long Streak For Western North Pacific Ends

Prior to Nepartak's formation, not a single tropical storm, much less a typhoon (the term for a hurricane in the western North Pacific Basin), had formed west of the international date line since mid-December 2015. Typically this area is the world's busiest tropical cyclone corridor.
This set a new record for the longest stretch without at least a single tropical storm in the western North Pacific basin in 66 years of records, according to Colorado State University tropical scientist Dr. Phil Klotzbach.

Longest Northwest Pacific Stretches Without a Single Tropical Storm
(Source: Joint Typhoon Warning Center archive)

Start, End Dates	Consecutive Days
Dec. 17, 2015 - July 3, 2016	200
Dec. 15, 1972 - June 30, 1973	198
Dec. 22, 1997 - July 7, 1998	198

This first six months of 2016 have been completely opposite from what we saw last year.
By the end of June 2015, there had already been nine tropical cyclones in the northwest Pacific basin, including three super typhoons of Category 5 equivalent intensity.

PHOTOS: Typhoon Melor (December 2015)