Typhoon Malakas Could Threaten Japan, Taiwan

Tom Moore
Published: September 15,2016
Typhoon Malakas is forecast to strengthen in the western Pacific Ocean as it continues to move northwestward.
Malakas could impact parts of Taiwan and Japan's southern Ryukyu Islands late this week into the weekend.
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Threat to Japan and Taiwan?

As of Thursday night (EDT), or late Friday morning local time, Typhoon Malakas was centered about 400 miles south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.

Current Storm Info

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Malakas will move toward the northwest then north on Friday as it navigates around a subtropical ridge of high pressure aloft.
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It will also become stronger and maximum sustained winds could reach the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on Friday.
Friday into Friday night (U.S. time), or Saturday local time, Malakas will threaten Japan's southernmost Ryukyu Islands and northern Taiwan. These areas could see heavy rainfall and damaging winds as Malakas passes through.

Projected Path and Intensity

While heavy rain seems likely, the extent of the wind damage threat will be dependent on the exact path and strength of Malakas at that time.
All interests in northern Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa and Kadena Air Base, should continue to monitor the track of Malakas and make necessary preparations if needed. At the moment, however, it appears Malakas will track far enough west to spare Okinawa from major impacts.

Tropical-storm-force winds could spread as far west as Taipei, Taiwan.

Rainfall Forecast

Late this weekend into next week, Malakas will curl northeastward and begin to weaken. Malakas could impact southern mainland Japan early next week, but should be weakening to a tropical storm.

MORE: Typhoon Meranti Impacts Taiwan and China