While Chanthu may no longer hold the designation of “super typhoon,” AccuWeather forecasters say the formidable typhoon remained on track to slam into Taiwan with potentially catastrophic impacts.
As of Sunday morning, local time, the eye of Typhoon Chanthu remained just to the northeast of Taiwan. Chanthu was tracking to the north at a speed of 14 mph (23 km/h), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Chanthuâs 10-minute average sustained winds were 104 mph (167 km/h), meaning it was the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The storm, which became the second super typhoon of the season earlier this week, had developed a massive eye as it spun in the warm waters of the Philippine Sea. Authorities in the Philippines warned that the storm could still trigger flash flooding and landslides even if it remained offshore.
âMariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside,â the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration [PAGASA] said, according to The Associated Press.
While the worst impacts from Chanthu have come to an end as of Saturday night, local time, rain and locally gusty winds can continue to impact Northern Luzon on Sunday. Seas in the area will also remain rough as the typhoon churns just east of Taiwan.
In the Philippines, Chanthu is known as Kiko, according to PAGASA.
Chanthu is expected to re-strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane as it tracks along the eastern coast of Taiwan, before losing some wind intensity during the second half of the weekend.
AccuWeather forecasters say the worst impacts from Chanthu will likely target Taiwan on Sunday.
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“Chanthu is forecast to slowly lose some wind intensity as it moves northward past Taiwan throughout Sunday. Even still, this powerful typhoon will be very impactful to the island,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis.
Widespread rainfall amounts of 8-12 inches (200-300 mm) are likely over the eastern portion of Taiwan, with an AccuWeather Local StormMaxâą of 24 inches (600 mm). Rainfall amounts in excess of 1 foot (300 mm) will likely be confined to higher-elevation areas due to the effects of upsloping.
“Flooding and mudslides will be a concern across all of Taiwan and portions of the southern Ryukyu Islands,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said..
Wind gusts of 120-140 mph (190-225 km/h) with an AccuWeather Local StormMaxâą of 155 mph (250 km/h) are likely to impact the eastern portion of Taiwan. Widespread wind gusts of 80-100 mph (130-160 km/h) will spread over the rest of the country.
“These winds can lead to structural and tree damage as well as power outages,” Nicholls said.
Wind gusts of this strength can be enough to do significant damage to well-built structures as well as take down trees and power lines.
Disruptions were already underway from Chanthu for portions of Taiwan on Saturday, local time. Nearly 2,000 people in landslide-prone areas have already been evacuated and around 100 flights as well as ferry services were suspended on Saturday, according to Channel News Asia.
After impacting Taiwan, Chanthu is forecast to emerge over the East China Sea early this week. At this time, there is still a degree of uncertainty in Chanthu’s track past Taiwan, forecasters say. Prolonged interaction with Taiwan could cause the storm to lose more wind intensity and take more of a northerly turn and skim the coastline of China early this week. The storm may also slow down for several days, just off the east coast of China, which could lead to prolonged heavy rainfall for portions of the coast.
Parts of China has raised typhoon emergency warning to Level 1 due to the typhoon, and ports in Zheijiang, China, are going to suspend empty container loading and unloading.
