02 Oct 2018 | 07:33 AM UTC
Japan: Kong Rey upgraded to super typhoon, may affect South Korea /update 2
Kong Rey quickly gains strength to become super typhoon, may affect South Korea after passing by Ryukyu Islands on October 4
Event
Tropical cyclone Kong Rey quickly gained strength to become a super typhoon as it continued its northwest path toward the Ryukyu Islands on Tuesday, October 2. The typhoon is the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, though it is expected to weaken as it moves northwest. Kong Rey is currently forecast to pass south of Okinawa on Thursday, October 4, and Friday, October 5, then curve north into the East China Sea before making landfall in southern South Korea on Sunday, October 7. It will likely bring tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds, and heavy surf, to northern Taiwan, Shanghai and the Zhejiang coast, and southern Japan. Its forecast path may change as it nears land in the coming days.
Super Typhoon Kong Rey is located 1080 km (670 mi) south-southeast of Okinawa as of Tuesday at 09:00 (local time) and producing sustained winds of 260 km/h (161 mph).
Context
Tropical cyclones and typhoons are common in the west Pacific from June through November.
Advice
Individuals in the affected areas should monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation and power disruptions, and obey instructions from local authorities.
