Typhoon Champi turns toward Japan; Jeju and southern Korea may feel effects
In short
Typhoon No. 30, Champi, is moving north from south of Okinawa and is forecast to reach west of Kyushu in Japan around 26 October. Korean coast guards issued a coastal safety advisory for Jeju waters for 21 to 24 October, and the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts rain on Jeju from 24 October.
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Typhoon No. 30, Champi, is moving north from the sea south of Okinawa, and Korean outlets report that it may affect Jeju and southern parts of Korea. Newsis reported on 20 October that the Seogwipo and Jeju coast guards would issue a coastal safety accident risk forecast at 'advisory' level for 21 to 24 October because of expected bad weather at sea. [ 1 , 3 ]
According to Newsis, the typhoon was about 1,320 km south-south-east of Okinawa at 16:00 on 20 October and was rated strength 5, described as 'super strong'. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast winds of up to 14 m/s and waves of about 3 m, mainly off the southern coast, during the advisory period. The coast guards plan to send text messages to ship owners and captains and to patrol danger zones such as rocky shores popular with anglers. A coast guard official asked people to stay away from breakwaters and rocky shores and to check weather information often. [ 1 ]
Maeil Business reported on 21 October that the typhoon was expected to pass near Taiwan and then move north. Under the route it cited, the typhoon would be about 110 km north-east of Taipei on the morning of 24 October and about 380 km south-east of Shanghai on 25 October, then reach about 110 km west of Kagoshima, Japan, on 26 October in a weakened state. The paper said rain was expected on Jeju from 24 October and that the typhoon would come closest at 02:00 on 26 October, about 280 km from Seogwipo. It also reported that Taiwan's weather authority activated a control system for waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast, and China's weather authority issued a blue typhoon alert. [ 2 ]
Chosun Ilbo reported on 22 October that the typhoon, which had been heading from Taiwan toward China, turned sharply toward Japan. The Korea Meteorological Administration said that at 03:00 on 22 October it was at strength 5 about 750 km south of Okinawa. The paper said it is expected to move west to the sea east of Taipei, turn east and reach west of Kyushu around 26 October, then weaken into an extratropical cyclone and move onto Japanese land. [ 3 ]
Chosun Ilbo said a landfall on the Korean peninsula is extremely unlikely because cold air moving over Korea on 22 and 23 October acts as an 'air wall'. It added that Korea is more likely to fall within the typhoon's zone of influence, which can bring heavy rain and strong wind, with the Korea Strait, Jeju and Busan analysed as likely to be affected. It said this would make Champi the first October typhoon to affect Korea since 2014, and noted that October typhoons also approached Korea in 2013, 1998, 1994 and 1951. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
Outlets report that Jeju, the Korea Strait and Busan may fall within the typhoon's zone of influence, bringing rain and strong wind. Chosun Ilbo says it would be the first October typhoon to affect Korea since 2014, while a landfall on the Korean peninsula is described as extremely unlikely.
Key facts
- Typhoon No. 30, Champi, was rated strength 5, described as 'super strong' (초강력) by Newsis, as it moved north. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Seogwipo and Jeju coast guards issued a coastal safety accident risk forecast at 'advisory' level for 21 to 24 October. [ 1 ]
- The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast winds up to 14 m/s and waves of about 3 m, mainly off the southern coast, during the advisory period. [ 1 ]
- The Korea Meteorological Administration expects rain on Jeju from 24 October and the typhoon's closest approach at 02:00 on 26 October, about 280 km from Seogwipo, according to Maeil Business. [ 2 ]
- Taiwan's weather authority activated a control system for waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast, and China's weather authority issued a blue typhoon alert, Maeil Business reported. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reported that the typhoon changed course sharply toward Japan and is expected to reach west of Kyushu around 26 October. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How strongly the typhoon will affect Korea. Chosun Ilbo says the Korea Strait, Jeju and Busan are analysed as likely to fall in the zone of influence, and that landfall on the peninsula is extremely unlikely; no document gives expected rainfall or wind for the later days.
- The typhoon's route after Taiwan. Maeil Business (21 October) gives a forecast track passing near Taipei and about 380 km south-east of Shanghai on 25 October, while Chosun Ilbo (22 October) says the typhoon turned sharply from its earlier expected path toward China and is heading to Japan.
- Whether the typhoon will be counted as an October typhoon that affected Korea. This is stated by Chosun Ilbo only and depends on Korea falling within the zone of influence.
- The Seogwipo and Jeju coast guards issued an advisory-level coastal safety forecast for 21 to 24 October, citing Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts of strong wind and high waves. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 20 October the typhoon was about 1,320 km south-south-east of Okinawa, at strength 5. [ 1 ]
- On 21 October the typhoon was forecast to be about 810 km south of Okinawa. [ 2 ]
- On 22 October the typhoon passed 750 km south of Okinawa at strength 5. [ 3 ]
- On 26 October the typhoon is forecast to be closest to Jeju, about 280 km from Seogwipo. [ 2 ]