According to the latest announcement from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on the morning of August 13, the low pressure near the East Sea that formed over the weekend has strengthened into Typhoon Ampil.
At 3:00 a.m. on August 13 (local time), storm Ampil was 1,570 km east-northeast of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65km/h near the center of the storm, gusting to 80km/h. The storm moved slowly to the northeast.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the US Air Force and Navy said Ampil is Japan's No. 7 storm. This morning Ampil was 1,224 km south of Yokosuka, Japan and has been moving northeast at 19km/h for the past 6 hours.
It is forecast that in the next 2 days, Typhoon Ampil may reach a wind intensity of 140km/h as it moves north of the country's Iwo To island. After that, the storm is likely to strengthen due to interaction with an upper-level low pressure area and increased sea surface temperature.
Weather experts say that Typhoon Ampil can reach winds of up to 185 km/h within 3 days and is likely to approach or sweep over Japan's Honshu island.
The storm will continue to develop and move north, approaching the Ogasawara Islands on the evening of August 14 and may approach the Kanto region, including Tokyo, after August 15.
In addition to Typhoon Ampil, this area also has two other storms and an active tropical depression. Among them, Typhoon No. 5 Maria made landfall in Iwate province of Japan on the morning of August 12 and continued to move toward the Sea of Japan.
Typhoon No. 6 Son Tinh is approaching Japan from the east, 906 km from Yokosuka. The storm is expected to dissipate in about 36 hours in the southeast of Hokkaido island.
Faced with this complicated weather situation, tourists planning to travel to Japanese islands should regularly monitor weather reports and storm warnings from local authorities.
If you are planning to travel to Japan or surrounding areas in the near future, you should consider adjusting your itinerary to avoid areas likely to be affected by storms.
For travelers in Japan, strictly follow evacuation and safety instructions from local authorities. Prepare necessary items such as flashlights, spare batteries, drinking water and dry food in case of emergency.
Avoid going out during strong winds and heavy rain. Do not go near the beach or coastal areas during the storm. Stay in touch with your country's embassy or consulate for assistance when needed.
Note that public transport may be disrupted due to the storm. Always prioritize your safety and follow recommendations from authorities during this storm season.
