Tropical Depression Expected to Develop Into Typhoon No. 18
A tropical depression developing near the Chuuk Islands is expected to become a typhoon by the evening of August 19 before continuing to strengthen over unusually warm waters and reaching the vicinity of the Mariana Islands as a strong typhoon by August 23. (News On Japan)
Typhoon Soudelor, also known as Typhoon No. 18, formed near the Truk Islands on August 19 and is expected to intensify as it gradually moves northwest. Initially located near the Truk Islands, it was moving northwest at about 15 kilometers per hour with central atmospheric pressure of 996 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 20 meters per second.
The storm is anticipated to strengthen further, potentially reaching very strong intensity by August 22 when its central pressure is forecast to drop to around 950 hectopascals. By August 24, it is expected to maintain very strong intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 meters per second and maximum gusts of 60 meters per second.
The typhoon's path is favorable for further development due to high sea surface temperatures ranging from 29 to 30 degrees Celsius, with some areas having temperatures of at least 26 degrees Celsius extending to depths of over 100 meters. Atmospheric conditions, including weak vertical wind shear, also support the storm's intensification.
However, there is considerable uncertainty over the storm's eventual track, with the forecast circle having a radius of about 400 kilometers by August 24, potentially impacting areas around Okinawa. People in the Ogasawara Islands, Okinawa, and surrounding regions are advised to closely monitor the latest forecasts as Typhoon Soudelor develops.
Written by urgent.news from News On Japan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
