Typhoon 15 is forecast to make landfall in Ibaraki Prefecture on Tuesday evening, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the Kanto region [1].
The storm's unusual westward trajectory and interaction with cold upper-level air create a high risk of severe weather for residents in eastern Japan. This combination is expected to intensify rainfall and wind speeds as the system moves inland.
Weather officials expect the peak of the storm to occur between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning [2]. Specifically, the window of maximum intensity is projected from approximately 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, continuing through 6 a.m. Wednesday [2]. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Ibaraki between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday [4].
Maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 35 m/s are forecast for the Kanto-Koshin region [1]. These high winds pose a significant threat to infrastructure and transportation throughout the area.
"Typhoon 15 is approaching, and it is currently about 100 kilometers away from Mito, Ibaraki," said Manami Sakaguchi, a weather forecaster for TBS NEWS DIG [3].
Local authorities have highlighted the risk in Ibaraki Prefecture, particularly around the Mito and Oarai areas [5]. While the center of the storm will eventually pass, forecasters said that rain will continue to fall across the Kanto region even after the typhoon has moved through [1].
The storm is characterized by active rain clouds near its center, which are merging with cold air aloft to produce the current weather pattern [5]. Residents are advised to monitor local updates as the storm progresses westward.
“Maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 35 m/s are forecast for the Kanto-Koshin region.”
The westward movement of Typhoon 15 is a deviation from typical storm tracks, which often move north or northeast. This 'reverse' path, combined with the interaction of tropical moisture and cold air, increases the likelihood of unpredictable and intense precipitation, extending the window of danger beyond the immediate landfall of the storm's eye.
