The latest storm forecast from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) shows that Typhoon Ha Long will reach its peak intensity tonight, October 7, approaching the super typhoon, but still moving towards the southern coast of Japan.
The storm is currently located about 494 km west-northwest of Chichi Jima Island, moving northwest at a speed of 13 km/h over the past 6 hours. The maximum waves were recorded at about 9.1 m.
If Typhoon Ha Long continues its current path, the JTWC forecasts that the storm will move northwest, then turn north and northeast, approaching mainland Japan.
It is forecasted that in the next 24 hours, storm Halong will remain in a very favorable environment with warm sea surface temperatures (29-30°C), weak wind shear and good drainage conditions, to intensify violently as it approaches super typhoon level.
The storm is forecast to reach a maximum intensity of about 230 km/h within the next 36 hours, while noting the possibility of the storm strengthening before entering a rapid weakening phase.
This is a strong storm, likely to cause dangerous gusts of wind, heavy rain, storm surges, rough seas, landslides and localized flooding.
Tourists planning to travel by sea or air in the southern part of Japan (especially the Ogasawara and Izu Islands) on October 8-9 should closely monitor weather reports, adjust their itineraries accordingly and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Typhoon Ha Long is expected to continue to strengthen and change direction to the northeast, possibly approaching the Izu Islands on Thursday 8.10 with very strong intensity. The area will have strong winds and rough seas from 7.10, and the situation could become more dangerous on 8.10.
