FRANCISCO Shifts Up Into Major Typhoon Gear

FRANCISCO strengthens into Cat 4B storm, could become a super typhoon

Packing sustained winds of about 230km/hr, FRANCISCO has intensified to a Cat 4B typhoon force, with a significant probability [P=74%] of further strengthening into a super typhoon, albeit briefly, with winds in excess of 250 km/h.

Typhoon FRANCISCO

Time: 06:00UTC – October 18, 2013
Movement: NW at 3km/hr
Position: Near 14.6ºN, 141.8E
Location: About 340km WNW (290 degrees) of Hagåtña, Guam, Mariana Islands
Max Sustained Winds: 230km/hr
Max Wind Gusts: 275km/hr
Significant Wave Height: ~ 10m
Source: FIRE-EARTH and others

FRANCISCO is expected to intensify to a Cat 5 Super Typhoon Force, before weakening as it moves toward Japan region. —FIRE-EARTH.

Typhoon FRANCISCO. VIS/IR satellite image (FIRE-EARTH Enhancement) recorded at 06:32UTC on October 18, 2013. Original image sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.
More details to follow…

Related Links

• Typhoon FRANCISCO Inching Toward Japan October 17, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery