Sunday, September 25, 2016

Taiwan braces for landfall of Typhoon Megi

By , Senior Meteorologist
September 25,2016; 11:11PM,EDT
 
 
Typhoon Megi will continue to strengthen through Monday before threatening lives and property across Taiwan and eastern China this week.
On Monday, outer rain bands from Megi will begin to move into Japan's southernmost Ryukyu Islands and eastern Taiwan, but the most intense winds will remain across the Philippines Sea posing hazards only to shipping interests as rain, wind and seas increase around its center.
Danger to lives and property will heighten Monday night as the typhoon takes aim at land.

"The most likely area to experience significant impacts will be across Taiwan and then into southeastern China," AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty said.
Japan's southernmost Ryukyu Islands or far northern Luzon Island in the Philippines could be grazed by gusty showers and rough surf as well.
Even though the Philippines will escape the damaging winds and flooding rain from Megi, moisture may still be drawn onto western Luzon Island and trigger flash flooding, including in Manila.
Taiwan, on the other hand, should brace for Megi to make a direct hit.
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"Impacts to Taiwan are expected to gradually increase on Monday, but will be the worse from Monday night through Tuesday (local time)," Douty said.
The strength of Megi will be equal to that of a Category 3 hurricane when it slams into southeastern Taiwan with destructive winds, flooding rain and an inundating storm surge.

Near the point of landfall in southeastern Taiwan, wind gusts are expected to be near 200 km/h (125 mph). Rainfall will exceed 250 mm (10 inches) in many areas. Over 500 mm (20 inches) could fall in some of the mountainous terrain.
Even though Megi will pass well to the south of Taipei, the city could still see damaging wind gusts of 65-130 km/h (60-80 mph). Power cuts and minor structural damage are possible.
There is a greater risk of Megi causing wind damage and flooding across Taiwan since the island has been affected by both Super Typhoon Meranti and Typhoon Malakas in the last two weeks.
"Even though Megi will not be nearly as strong as Meranti, it could cause more damage than expected because of infrastructure already weakened by Meranti and the glancing blow from Malakas," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.
Already saturated and loose soil could lead to flash flooding and mudslides.
Megi will then threaten eastern China after battering Taiwan, likely on Tuesday night into Wednesday.
A closeup look of Megi in the western Pacific Ocean. (NOAA satellite)
Douty is most concerned for Megi to move into southeastern China, likely from eastern Guangdong to Fujian, he said.
"While we should see weakening by [the time Megi reaches China], there could still be damaging wind near the point of landfall along with flooding rain," Douty said.
The mountainous terrain of Taiwan will cause Megi to be past its peak intensity as it tracks toward eastern China, but will likely be a tropical storm or possible a typhoon at landfall.
Megi will continue to weaken once over land in eastern China. While the risk of damaging winds will lessen as Megi weakens, flooding rain will likely remain a concern until Megi dissipates.

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