Future Typhoon Man-yi Sets Its Sights on Japan

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

Tropical Storm Man-yi, destined to become the next typhoon in the western Pacific, has its eyes set on slamming Japan Sunday and Monday.

Man-yi remains a minimal tropical storm but should strengthen and reach typhoon status by Sunday local time.

Man-yi will approach Japan later in the weekend before moving into or along the southern and eastern coast of Japan's Honshu island Sunday night through Monday, passing over or very close to Tokyo.

Expected to be a typhoon when it reaches Japan, Man-yi will then weaken and be transitioning to a non-tropical system as it crosses the country.

Squally and drenching rain bands from Man-yi will first continue to spread across the Northern Mariana Islands and Japan's Bonin and Volcano islands through Saturday. The latter islands are home to Iwo Jima.

Saturday night, a band of drenching rain outrunning Man-yi should begin soaking Japan with widespread heavy rain to follow for Sunday and Monday.

A total of 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 inches) of rain will inundate south-central and eastern parts of Honshu and eastern Shikoku, threatening to trigger flash flooding. Localized amounts of 300 mm (a foot) are possible in the mountains, severely heightening concerns of landslides.

Damaging winds will also occur along Man-yi's path. Current indications put southern Honshu at greatest risk of enduring wind gusts of 95 to 145 kph (60 to 90 mph). Such winds are capable of causing widespread tree damage, power outages and some structural damage.

 

The immediate southeastern coastline will be most susceptible to gusts on the higher end of that range.

Coastal flooding is a concern along the southern and eastern coast of Honshu. The threat of a damaging 0.5- to 1.5-m (2- to 4-foot) storm surge is highest along its southeastern coast--east of where Man-yi moves inland or comes closest to making landfall.

For Tokyo, a track over or immediately in the vicinity of the city would bring the heavy rain and damaging winds directly overhead. A track passing east of the city would spare Tokyo of the most severe wind, but flooding rain could still be a serious problem.

Coastal flooding would become more of an issue with any track directly at the city.

All residents of Japan should continue to monitor the progress of Man-yi for any potential shifts in its track and resultant impacts.

Source: AccuWeather.com