Typhoon Vongfong Approaching Japan

Less than a week after Typhoon Phanfone impacted Japan, Typhoon Vongfong is headed towards Okinawa. What was the strongest storm on Earth since last year (The Weather Channel) is now weakening as it tracks north to Japan. Vongfong is currently equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane, as it possesses maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. While the typhoon has weakened, it has actually grown in size. Vongfong is slow-moving with 39 mph or greater winds affecting an area larger than one million square miles; hurricane force winds cover about 63,000 miles.

Via Japan’s MTSAT, wide view of Super Typhoon #Vongfong–the strongest tropical cyclone of 2014. pic.twitter.com/jRvmVw1QBw

— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) October 8, 2014

We continue to gather data on Typhoon #Vongfong as it approaches Japan. Latest: http://t.co/7zk27CuVcg pic.twitter.com/VaobhpVo5J

— NASA (@NASA) October 10, 2014

As Typhoon #Vongfong aproaches Okinawa, be sure to follow @twc_hurricane for rapid updates. http://t.co/GMJgmwzjlP pic.twitter.com/zMhp0CcLOo

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 11, 2014

Vongfong is expected to bring both heavy rainfall as well as high winds to the island of Okinawa, and later, the mainland. The typhoon’s slow nature will cause greater flooding than what was experienced with Phanfone. Below is the current timeline for the movement of Vongfong, as per The Weather Channel:

– Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa, Kadena AB: Peak winds over 100 mph on Okinawa (sustained and gusts) possible with closest approach of eyewall Saturday afternoon through Saturday night.

– Kyushu, Shikoku, western Honshu: Monday – Monday night (possibly still Category 1)

– Eastern Honshu, including Tokyo, Osaka: Later Monday into Tuesday (weakening to a tropical storm)