FRANCISCO Intensifying to “Extraterrestrial” Storm Force

Super Typhoon FRANCISCO shifting to overdrive

Super Typhoon FRANCISCO, currently packing sustained winds of about 260km/hr, is expected to continue intensifying, gaining wind speeds of about 280km/hr.

Super Typhoon FRANCISCO

• Time: 09:00UTC – October 19, 2013
• Movement: NW (305 degrees) at 15km/hr
• Position: Near 16.9ºN, 139.5E
• Location: About 920km South of Iwo To (Iwo Jima), Japan
• Max Sustained Winds: 260km/hr [increasing to 280km/hr —FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• Max Wind Gusts: 315km/hr [increasing to 335km/hr —FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• Significant Wave Height:   18m [Expected to rise —FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• Source: FIRE-EARTH and others

Super Typhoon FRANCISCO. VISIBLE/INFRARED satellite image (FIRE-EARTH Enhancement) recorded at 09:32UTC on October 19, 2013. Original image sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.  [Image added at 11:30UTC on October 19, 2013.]

Super Typhoon FRANCISCO is closely followed by Tropical Depression 27W [JTWC nomenclature.] FIRE-EARTH models show the two systems could interact, with a probability of about 60 percent, under favorable conditions.

Super Typhoon FRANCISCO’s Projected Path.  At 09:32UTC on October 19, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.  [Image added at 11:30UTC on October 19, 2013.]

More details to follow…

Related Links

• FRANCISCO Shifts Up Into Major Typhoon Gear October 18, 2013
• Typhoon FRANCISCO Inching Toward Japan October 17, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery