Typhoon No. 18 is forecast to pass close to the Amami Islands and Okinawa main island from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning [3].
The storm's trajectory poses a significant risk to southern Japan, where extreme wind speeds could lead to structural failures and hazardous coastal conditions.
Meteorologists forecast maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 60 m/s [2] for Okinawa on Tuesday and for the Amami Islands between Tuesday and Wednesday [2]. These violent winds are strong enough to cause some houses to collapse [1]. High waves and heavy rain are also expected, increasing the risk of landslides in vulnerable areas [1].
Early Tuesday, Kita-Daitō recorded a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 42.2 m/s [1]. The Daitō Islands region of Okinawa is expected to be particularly affected as the system moves through the region.
While the islands face the brunt of the storm, Kyushu is expected to experience a different weather extreme. Forecasts indicate the region will see extremely hot days [1]. This creates a dual-threat weather pattern for southern Japan, with violent storm surges in the east and intense heat in the west.
Residents in the path of the typhoon are advised to prepare for sustained strong winds and potential flooding [1]. Local authorities continue to monitor the system as it approaches the main island of Okinawa and the Amami chain.
“Winds up to 60 m/s could cause houses to collapse.”
The simultaneous occurrence of a high-intensity typhoon and a severe heatwave in Kyushu demonstrates the volatile weather patterns currently impacting southern Japan. The forecast of 60 m/s winds represents a critical threat to infrastructure, as such speeds often exceed the design limits of residential buildings in rural island regions.
