Super Typhoon Kong-rey features one of the largest eyes ever recorded in the history of storms on Earth, described as “extremely massive.”
According to the latest storm report from Newsweek, a storm expert expressed horror at the scale of the eye of Super Typhoon Kong-rey as the storm approaches Taiwan.
Position of Super Typhoon Kong-rey on the morning of October 31. (Photo: PAGASA).
Commenting on the size of Kong-rey’s eye, meteorologist Noah Bergren from WOFL television in Orlando, Florida, noted: “Super Typhoon Kong-rey easily has one of the largest eyes observed on Earth with a major tropical system. It’s extremely massive.”
Senior meteorologist Alan Reppert from AccuWeather stated that having a large eye does not equate to the strength of a storm. “A large eye means that winds extend farther from the storm’s center compared to when the eye is smaller“ – he explained. He added that a strong storm that lasts longer typically has a wider eye than a newly formed storm.
Most forecast models predict that Super Typhoon Kong-rey will make landfall on the southeastern coast of Taiwan and traverse the island before moving out to sea. The storm is then expected to shift northeastward, heading toward China and exiting into the East China Sea.
The New York Times noted that the intensity of Super Typhoon Kong-rey is atypical for storms occurring at this time of year during the typhoon season, projecting that Kong-rey will make landfall equivalent to a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
AccuWeather expert Alan Reppert warned of winds reaching up to 225 km/h, with stronger gusts possible in southern Taiwan despite forecasts indicating that Super Typhoon Kong-rey will weaken as it crosses the island.
AccuWeather’s storm forecast warns of significant damage to structures and landslides caused by Kong-rey as rainfall amounts are expected to reach 914 mm in Taiwan. The storm may maintain its intensity or strengthen before making landfall today (October 31).
As Super Typhoon Kong-rey moves along its path, eastern China and Japan are also expected to experience heavy rainfall.
According to the latest storm update at 5 AM on October 31 from the Philippine weather agency regarding the developments of Super Typhoon Kong-rey (local name: Leon), severe weather conditions are anticipated for the North Luzon region of the Philippines as the super typhoon approaches the East China Sea near Batanes.
Typhoon Kong-rey is forecasted to peak and make landfall today (October 31). (Photo: PAGASA)
The eye of Super Typhoon Kong-rey is located 100 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. The storm is moving northwest at a speed of 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gusts up to 240 km/h.
PAGASA’s storm forecasters believe that Super Typhoon Kong-rey will reach its maximum intensity as it approaches Batanes within the next three hours, but currently, there is a low likelihood of making landfall in that area. Kong-rey is expected to make its first landfall on the eastern coast of Taiwan later this afternoon. PAGASA also does not rule out the possibility of the storm making a second landfall on the mainland of China around November 1.
Forecasts suggest that Super Typhoon Kong-rey may weaken into a tropical storm within the next 12 hours before landfall in Taiwan. Interaction with the mountainous terrain of the island will likely lead to a continuous weakening trend for Kong-rey for the remainder of the forecast period.
