Typhoon 15 made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at approximately 8 p.m. on Nov. 11 [1].
This event marks a historic anomaly in Japanese weather patterns. The storm is traveling in an unusual westward direction—a "reverse course"—that will take it across the main island of Honshu toward the Sea of Japan [2].
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the landfall in southern Ibaraki is the first instance of its kind in statistical history [2]. The agency said that residents in the Tohoku region must remain on strict alert for landslides, heavy rain, violent winds, and high waves caused by swells [3].
Forecasts indicate significant precipitation over the next 24 hours. The Kanto-Koshin region is expected to see up to 180 mm of rain by 6 p.m. tomorrow [1], while the Tohoku region is projected to receive 150 mm [1]. Maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 35 m/s were recorded today across both the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions [1].
The storm has already caused infrastructure disruptions in the landfall zone. Tokyo Electric Power Grid said approximately 1,290 homes in Ibaraki Prefecture experienced power outages, which are suspected to be caused by the typhoon [4].
Emergency officials continue to monitor the storm's path as it moves west. The unusual trajectory increases the risk of unexpected flooding in areas that typically do not face direct typhoon landfalls during this time of year. Authorities said that the combination of saturated soil and high winds makes the threat of landslides particularly acute in the mountainous areas of Tohoku [3].
“The landfall in southern Ibaraki is the first instance of its kind in statistical history”
The 'reverse course' of Typhoon 15 suggests a significant deviation from standard seasonal weather patterns in Japan. Because the storm is crossing Honshu from east to west, it exposes regions to landfall risks and wind patterns they are not traditionally structured to handle, potentially challenging existing disaster preparedness models for the Kanto and Tohoku regions.
