Typhoons in the Pacific Northwest are no different than hurricanes in the Atlantic; they are just called different things. To be a “super typhoon,” a storm must reach sustained winds of at least 150 mph.
As Hinnamnor barrels westward, most of Japan is still under no watch or warning, but a storm and high wave warning has been issued for the Daito Islands, southeast of Okinawa, home to about 2,100 residents. Two small inhabited islands, Minamidaitojima and Kitadaitojimait sits about 200 feet above sea level at its highest point and is made of limestone built on top of ancient coral reefs.
The storm’s center is expected to pass 93 miles south of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa at 7:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, bringing 5 to 6 inches of rain and gusts of up to 69 mph. stars and stripes.
It is unclear how close the storm will come to Japan’s more populous islands, as well as how the storm will affect weather patterns in North America.
On Tuesday, Japan’s Himawari-8 satellite captured an eerie view from above as the atmospheric sounder crept westward. The storm was a fairly compact “annular cyclone”, characterized by thunderstorm activity surrounding a single dense band of convection or hollow eye. Most hurricanes, typhoons, and mature tropical cyclones have a spiral of arcing storm lines and rainbands that feed toward the center. Circular cyclones have a tighter radius of maximum winds and are more symmetrical, which helps maintain their intensity.
On the periphery of the typhoon, high, thin, small cirrus clouds can be seen on the satellite moving away from the center. This indicates inflow or depletion at high altitudes as “spent” air moves away from the storm. The more excess air a storm dumps from above, the lower the internal air pressure can drop. This means that the storm can in turn receive more moisture-rich surface air in contact with the ocean. This increases its durability or intensity.
Hinnamnor will likely hold its strength for another day or so before a modest weakening is likely.
Regardless, it’s already the most powerful storm to hit Earth this year, and wherever it hits, it could be very troublesome. In fact, at least a Category 3 storm is expected in five more days.
It appears that Hinnamnor may tilt slightly to the south, being pushed by high pressure to the north. That would probably keep it centered south of Okinawa Island, but either way it’s too close for comfort. The Japanese islands of Miyakojima, Tarama and Ishigaki appear to be most at risk, with the closest passage likely on Friday or Saturday.
By then, it will likely weaken somewhat, and it may weaken to a Category 3 or low-level Category 4 storm, but significant impact is still expected. After that, the weather models differ wildly in their simulations, but agree on the same basic premise: A low pressure system approaching from the northwest will help Hinnamnor move north.
The American (GFS) model then suggests that Hinnamnor will hit South Korea early next week, which has hardened. a catastrophic flood just three weeks ago. The European model favors a slightly weaker Hinnamnor passage over southern Japan, with strong winds and heavy rain.
Unfortunately, both scenarios seem likely to continue to deprive China of meaningful rainfall. The country faced blistering heat wave and brutal drought this is a major blow to agricultural production.
Hinnamnor is likely to enter a mid-latitude low pressure system within seven to 10 days, twisting the jet stream enough to affect North American weather over the next two to three weeks. A picture of throwing a stone into a gently flowing stream. That rock will affect the current around it, resulting in ripples downstream. The crests and troughs of these waves are analogous to high and low pressure systems. The specifics of how such a chain reaction might occur remain to be seen.
Hinnor’s fury comes during an unusually quiet season for tropical cyclones in the northern hemisphere. So far, the hemisphere’s tropical storm activity is about 53 percent of average, half of the expected major hurricane-strength systems.
Meanwhile, meteorologists monitor the system carefully In the Atlantic, Danielle will probably be there and could run at hurricane strength next week. All signs point to her getting out to sea and protecting the US, although that may be something to watch for Bermuda.
