The typhoon forecast bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that at 3:00 a.m. on August 25, the center of typhoon Shanshan was at about 23.7 degrees north latitude; 140.2 degrees east longitude, about 1,980 km east-northeast of Luzon.
Winds near the center of the storm reached 120 km/h, gusting up to 150 km/h. The storm is moving north-northwest at 20 km/h.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Shanshan is expected to become the strongest storm to hit Japan in 64 years, possibly becoming a Category 5 super typhoon on the 5-point Saffir-Simpson typhoon scale when it hits Japan.
According to the JMA, Shanshan is expected to make landfall on August 27 with maximum sustained winds of 225 km/h. Shanshan is expected to approach Kyushu and Shikoku before 9 a.m. on August 27.
The JMA issued a warning for lightning, gusts of wind, hail and showers over the weekend as the outer bands of the storm interact with warm air near the high-pressure system. Tokyo and neighboring areas have been hit by heavy rains, which have led to flooding and train disruption.
Expressway operators Tokaido, Sanyo, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen said they could cancel or suspend operations on August 27 and 28 due to the storm.
Satellite images show the growing power of Shanshan, with the eye clearly defined, showing that there were no significant obstacles that could weaken the storm. The size of the storm suggests it could cause widespread damage when it makes landfall.
The hurricane season runs all year round, but most of the storms form between early July and mid-December. Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan (China) are often affected, sometimes affecting the Korean Peninsula, China, Vietnam and the territory of Guam of the US.
Last year, super typhoon Mawar devastated Guam, causing billions of dollars in damage.
