Large, very strong Typhoon No. 27 moves north near Ogasawara; high-wave warnings
In short
Typhoon No. 27, described as large and very strong, was moving north near the Ogasawara waters on 4 October, and is forecast to continue north through those waters until 6 October. Waves of up to 8 metres and gusts of about 35 metres per second are expected around the Ogasawara Islands, while the Pacific coast from western to northern Japan is also on alert for high waves with swells. Residents were warned not to approach the sea even while the typhoon remains offshore.
Read the full story 2 min read
Typhoon No. 27, described by the Japan Meteorological Agency as large and very strong, was moving north near the Ogasawara waters on 4 October, with warnings issued for high waves. TBS NEWS DIG, citing the agency's 09:50 update, said the storm was moving north-northeast at 25 km per hour. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
At 15:00 on 4 October the typhoon was near the Ogasawara waters moving north at about 20 km per hour, Livedoor News reported, with a central pressure of 935 hectopascals, a maximum wind speed of 45 metres per second and maximum gusts of 65 metres per second. The report said the typhoon was nearing the peak of its development, with a clearly visible eye on satellite imagery, and that its central pressure was forecast to fall to 925 hectopascals on 5 October. [ 2 ]
The typhoon is forecast to move north through the Ogasawara waters through 6 October. The Ogasawara Islands are expected to see waves of up to 8 metres with swells and maximum gusts of about 35 metres per second, according to Livedoor News, which said residents should be on alert for high waves and strong winds and should not approach the coast. Yahoo! News Japan carried a similar forecast and warning. [ 2 , 3 ]
After that, the typhoon is expected to move north over the sea east of Honshu, away from the mainland, but high waves with swells are expected on the Pacific side from western to northern Japan, Livedoor News reported. It said eastern and northern Japan could see heavy seas or warning-level storm surges depending on the typhoon's track, and warned people not to go near the sea even while the weather is calm, because swells from a distant typhoon can arrive suddenly. [ 2 , 3 ]
The agency's forecast weather chart for 21:00 on 5 October also showed a tropical depression, described by TBS NEWS DIG as a “typhoon egg”, and a hurricane that had crossed the International Date Line, which the report called a “cross-border typhoon”. Separately, Nippon TV News published a forecaster commentary whose headline referred to Typhoon No. 27 moving north at large and very strong strength and to a possible “cross-border typhoon”; the article text was not available. [ 1 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The forecast track keeps the typhoon over the sea east of Honshu, so the main risk described for Japan is high waves and swells along the Pacific coast from western to northern Japan rather than a direct landfall. Warnings to stay away from the sea apply even where the weather looks calm, because swells from a distant storm can arrive suddenly. Forecasters also say eastern and northern Japan could see heavy seas or warning-level storm surges depending on the typhoon's track.
Key facts
- Typhoon No. 27 was located near the Ogasawara waters on 4 October and moving north. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- At 15:00 on 4 October its central pressure was 935 hectopascals, with maximum winds of 45 metres per second and maximum gusts of 65 metres per second. [ 2 ]
- The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast the typhoon to move north through the Ogasawara waters through 6 October. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Waves of up to 8 metres and maximum gusts of about 35 metres per second are expected around the Ogasawara Islands. [ 2 ]
- The central pressure was forecast to fall to 925 hectopascals on 5 October. [ 2 ]
- High waves with swells are expected on the Pacific side from western to northern Japan through 6 October. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The agency's forecast chart for 5 October also showed a tropical depression and a hurricane that had crossed the International Date Line. [ 1 ]
- The typhoon is expected to move north over the sea east of Honshu, away from the mainland. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Whether eastern and northern Japan will see heavy seas or warning-level storm surges. Livedoor News said this depends on the typhoon's track, and no other document confirms a specific level of impact.
- The nature and track of the “cross-border typhoon” shown on the weather chart. Only TBS NEWS DIG mentions it, based on the Japan Meteorological Agency's forecast chart, and gives no timing or path; a Nippon TV News headline also refers to a possible “cross-border typhoon” but its article text was not available.
- Typhoon No. 27 was described as large and very strong and was near the Ogasawara waters, moving north. Reported by a single source so far
- The typhoon is forecast to move north through the Ogasawara waters through 6 October. Reported by a single source so far
- High waves with swells are expected around the Ogasawara Islands and on the Pacific side from western to northern Japan. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Japan Meteorological Agency releases its latest update: Typhoon No. 27 is near the Ogasawara waters, moving north-northeast at 25 km per hour. [ 1 ]
- Typhoon No. 27 is near the Ogasawara waters, moving north at about 20 km per hour, with a central pressure of 935 hectopascals. [ 2 ]
- Livedoor News reports the typhoon is nearing the peak of its development and warns of high waves. [ 2 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan reports high-wave warnings for the Ogasawara Islands and the Pacific side. [ 3 ]
- Nippon TV News publishes a forecaster commentary on the typhoon and a possible “cross-border typhoon”. [ 4 ]
- Forecast weather chart for 5 October, issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency, showing Typhoon No. 27, a tropical depression and a hurricane that crossed the International Date Line. [ 1 ]