Hurricane Tracker Follows Typhoon Champi Toward Taiwan With 227 kmh Gusts
Taiwan issued a land warning on Thursday ahead of powerful Typhoon Champi, which is forecast to bring strong winds exceeding 227 km/h gusts, heavy rain and potential flooding as it brushes the island's northeastern coast, with the hurricane tracker monitoring the storm's approach from the Philippine Sea. [3]
Taiwan Issues Land Warning for Approaching Typhoon
The Central Weather Administration issued the land warning covering Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and Pingtung counties as Champi weakened slightly from super typhoon status but remained one of the strongest storms in the Pacific this year. [3] [4] At 11am the storm was centered about 250 km southeast of Yilan County or 520 km east-southeast of Taiwan's southernmost point at Oluanpi, moving northwest at 15-20 kph with maximum sustained winds of 184 kph and gusts up to 227 kph. [3] [4] The typhoon's radius stood at 320 km, large enough to cover most of Taiwan. [4] A sea warning was also in effect for the Bashi Channel and waters north, northeast and southeast of Taiwan. [4]
Forecast Path and Expected Impacts
The hurricane tracker shows Champi passing close to northeastern Taiwan late on Friday before turning north toward the Chinese coast and eventually moving into southern Japan. [3] The storm is forecast to pass over Japan's westernmost inhabited island of Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture first. [3] Impacts are expected to last nearly two days, with the typhoon bringing strong winds and heavy rain throughout Friday. [4] As the storm nears, it could slow down or stall due to Taiwan's terrain. [4] Intermittent showers are forecast for northern Taiwan today while eastern Taiwan sees brief showers starting in the afternoon, followed by heavy rain in mountainous areas of New Taipei City and Yilan County in the evening. [4] From tonight into tomorrow stronger gusts are expected along the north coast, Yilan and low-lying areas in western Taiwan. [4] Champi is forecast to move away from Taiwan on Saturday afternoon, though heavy torrential rain is likely to continue in northern and central Taiwan due to northerly winds. [4]
Flight Cancellations and Transport Disruptions
Taiwan's transport ministry said 125 flights had been cancelled on Thursday, mostly domestic ones, though the rail network remained unaffected. [3] In Japan major carriers Japan Airlines, ANA and Skymark cancelled more than 100 flights, mostly domestic, between Thursday and Sunday, disrupting travel for over 11,000 passengers. [3] The interior ministry reported no evacuations of residents had yet occurred. [3]
Warnings for Waves, Rain and Landslides
Mobile phone alerts warning of waves of more than 6 m were issued to coastal towns, while total rainfall of nearly 1 m was expected in northern mountain areas including the hills near the capital Taipei. [3] A strong wind advisory covers parts of Pingtung County in the south, outlying Penghu County, Orchid Island and Green Island, where sustained winds of 75 kph with gusts up to 103 kph are possible. [4]
Severe Weather Alerts in the United States
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Mohave County, Arizona, where a severe thunderstorm located over Mesquite was moving northeast at 40 mph with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. [1] Locations impacted include Mesquite, Beaver Dam, Littlefield, Virgin River Gorge, Bunkerville and Virgin River Campground along Interstate 15 in Nevada between certain mile markers. [1] The National Weather Service also issued a Flash Flood Warning for Santa Barbara, California, after local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain and flash flooding, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in one hour and dangerous rock slides and mud slides expected. [2]
What to watch next: Champi is expected to be at its closest to Taiwan late on Friday off the northeastern coast before heading north toward seas off Shanghai, with continued monitoring of rainfall and wind effects through Saturday. [3] [4]
