Typhoon KOPPU Intensifies, Slows Down

KOPPU menacing N. Philippines

Typhoon KOPPU (TY 24W), Locally known as “LANDO,” currently packing sustained winds of about 220 km/h, is forecast to intensify further.

October 17 @ 12;00UTC

Max sustained winds:  ~ 220 km/h
Max wind gusts: 265 km/h
Max significant wave height: ~ 15m
Position and movement: Near 15.7N, 123.0E (Moving W. at about 10km/h toward Aurora Province)
Location: 320 km ENE of Manila, Philippines

Nightmare scenario? Typhoon KOPPU (TY 24W) tracking west toward the Philippines, chased by Typhoon CHAMPI (TY 25W). Image source: MTSAT/ NOAA

Typhoon SOULIK to Dump 6 Billion Tons of Rain on Taiwan

SOULIK Dumping an estimated 6 billion tons of rain on Taiwan Region

FIRE-EARTH estimates Typhoon SOULIK will have dumped at least 6 billion tons of precipitation on Taiwan region.

• Such tremendous amount of precipitation over  a short period of time could cause catastrophic flash floods and potentially deadly landslides.

Typhoon SOULIK – MTSAT Funktop IR satellite image enhancement – July 13, 2013 @ 00:32UTC. Funktop enhancement highlights intense areas of precipitation. Source: NOAA/SSD

High Probability of Landslides

Taiwan authorities have warned about potential disaster in the areas most prone to landslides.

“The central region of Taiwan has experienced two earthquakes with magnitude six or above on 27 March and 2 June, loose soil after seismic activities are potential disaster areas under heavy rainfall,” they warned in a statement.

China Landing

SOULIK is expected to make  landfall in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces on the Chinese mainland on Saturday PM, the local forecasters said.

Related Links

• Typhoon SOULIK Covers 1 Million Sq Km July 12, 2013
• SOULIK Continues to Gain Mass July 11, 2013
• Typhoon SOULIK Targets Taipei, Taiwan July 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale

Typhoon SOULIK Covers 1 Million Sq Km

Rain Monster SOULIK continues to grow

Dangerous Typhoon SOULIK has grown to about 1 million km² covering an area 27 times the size of  Taiwan.

Typhoon Stats as of 00:32UTC on July 12, 2013

• Approximate position: 22.8ºN, 125.7ºE
• Movement: 280 degrees @ 12 NMPH  (~22 km/h)
• Max. Sustained Winds: 100  NMPH (185 km/h)
• Max. Wind Gusts: 125 NMPH (232 km/h)

As of 02:30UTC Friday, SOULIK was 420 km east of Yilan county on the NE coast of Taiwan.

The typhoon could make landfall in Yilan or Hualien counties on the country’s NE coast about 20:00UTC Friday, according to several models.

Typhoon  SOULIK.  MTSAT – Floater SW/IR Sat Image – NOAA/SSD – FIRE-EARTH Enhancement – Jul 12, 2013 @ 01:32UTC

Typhoon SOULIK projected path superimposed on a sea surface temperature map. Image credit: CIMSS

High Probability of Landslides

Taiwan authorities have warned about potential disaster in the areas most prone to landslides.

“The central region of Taiwan has experienced two earthquakes with magnitude six or above on 27 March and 2 June, loose soil after seismic activities are potential disaster areas under heavy rainfall,” they warned in a statement.

Related Links

• SOULIK Continues to Gain Mass July 11, 2013
• Typhoon SOULIK Targets Taipei, Taiwan July 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale