Three named storms are swirling through the North Pacific Ocean, one of which is expected to have a significant impact upon landfall, according to the Washington Post.
Among the three storms – Gilma, Hector, and Shanshan – Shanshan is the strongest storm. After rapidly intensifying, Shanshan could strike the Asian nation of Japan as a Category 2 hurricane on the Western scale.
Satellite image of the three storms in the North Pacific. (Source: NOAA).
Forecasts indicate that nearly the entire Japanese archipelago will be ravaged by Shanshan, with the Shikoku and Kyushu regions expected to endure strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rising sea swells.
Meteorological experts from the Washington Post will provide a detailed analysis of the three storms swirling above the North Pacific.
Tropical Storm Shanshan
Currently, Shanshan is located several hundred kilometers east of the Ryukyu Islands (southwest Japan). Its maximum wind speed is near 169 km/h, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Meteorologists suggest that Shanshan could intensify to a Category 3 hurricane with winds reaching 209 km/h by August 27. The storm is expected to move west-northwest toward Kyushu, Japan’s southwesternmost island, potentially making landfall with severe winds equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane by the end of August 28.
As Shanshan makes landfall mid-week, winds could reach up to 193 km/h in southern Japan, accompanied by rainfall amounts ranging from 381 mm to 635 mm along the southern coasts of Shikoku and Kyushu. A heavy downpour and strong winds may occur in Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has stated that among the areas affected by the storm, there could be heavy rainfall exceeding 500 mm within 24 hours in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu Island.
Predicted path of Tropical Storm Shanshan. (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency).
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimate that the storm’s maximum sustained winds will be between 139 and 148 km/h when it makes landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture at the southern tip of Kyushu Island.
Weather forecasters in Japan have indicated that Shanshan could strike the southwestern part of the country with devastating winds and torrential rain. They are urging residents to remain vigilant, as reported by NHK just two hours ago.
Japan Airlines has announced the cancellation of over 120 flights on August 27 and 28, primarily to and from airports in southern Kyushu.
A government official holds a press conference about Storm Shanshan at the Japan Meteorological Agency in Tokyo on August 26, 2024. (Photo: Kyodo).
The forecasted path and intensity of Storm Shanshan are similar to several notable tropical storms that have impacted Japan in recent years.
Most recently, Tropical Storm Nanmadol brought Category 3 equivalent winds and heavy rain to southern Kyushu. According to the insurance organization PERILS, insured losses from Storm Nanmadol did not exceed $1 billion.
In 2005, Super Typhoon Nabi made landfall in southern Japan. Nabi passed over the islands of Kagoshima Prefecture with Strength equivalent to Category 4 before weakening and making a second landfall with maximum sustained winds of around 145 km/h.
Storm Gilma
Storm Gilma is located approximately 2,027 km east of Hilo, Hawaii, and is moving westward at a speed of 14.4 km/h. Gilma has undergone several rapid strengthening phases, peaking as a Category 4 super typhoon on August 25. It is currently a Category 2 storm with wind speeds reaching 161 km/h.
Gilma remains primarily active over the waters of the North Pacific. It will continue to move westward and gradually weaken, but is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds as its remnants swirl through the Hawaiian Islands on August 30 and 31.
Tropical Storm Hector
Tropical Storm Hector is trailing behind Gilma with wind speeds of 80 km/h. Hector is located 1,738 km west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula (Mexico) but is unlikely to strengthen into a major storm.
Due to upper-level shear (wind shear) and cooler ocean waters, Hector can only continue moving west for a few days before dissipating over the ocean.
