Japan: Typhoon Soulik forecast to hit southern Japan August 22

Event

Typhoon Soulik is forecast to hit southern Japan around Wednesday, August 22, with the effects of the storm beginning Tuesday, August 21. It is forecast to make landfall between southern Kyushu and Amami Oshima. As of 09:00 (local time) on Friday, August 18, Soulik is producing sustained winds of 167 km/h (103 mph) with gusts up to 203 km/h (127 mph), classifying it as a Very Strong Typhoon, or the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane. It is expected to strengthen to a Violent Typhoon, or Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 213 km/h (132 mph) by Monday, August 20, before weakening just before it arrives on land. The strong winds and heavy rains make localized flooding and power outages a possibility.

Soulik will be followed by a second typhoon that is predicted to hit southern Japan around Friday, August 24, though forecast models are less certain.

Context

Typhoons and tropical cyclones are common in the western Pacific from May through November.

Advice

Individuals present in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate strong winds and heavy rain (and associated disruptions), and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.