Record breaking Maysak becomes a Super Typhoon, heading toward Philippines

Typhoon "Maysak" has intensified into a Super Typhoon on March 31, 2015 reaching Category 5 hurricane status on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Maysak is a rare, record breaking Super Typhoon which is expected to peak at 287.1 km/h (178.4 mph) on April 1 or 2, before a weakening trend commences. Its current forecast calls for a landfall in Luzon, Philippines sometime on April 5 as an intense typhoon.

​With the lowest recorded atmospheric pressure of 905 hPa (JMA, 18:45 UTC on March 31) Super Typhoon "Maysak" is the strongest western Pacific basin typhoon in recorded history prior to the month of April.

It passed over the Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia on March 29 with wind gusts of up to 114 km/h (70 mph) and about 218 mm (8.6 inches) of rain over a 24-hour period. There are reports of significant damage as well as casualties, though they are still not confirmed.

Early on March 30, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite collected rainfall data as it flew directly above Maysak at 04:14 UTC when its maximum sustained winds were near 157 km/h (98 mph). The heaviest rainfall was recorded southwest of the center, and in fragmented bands of thunderstorms northeast of the center. In both of those places rainfall was in excess of 50 mm (2 inches) per hour.

Image credit: NASA/SSAI/JAXA, Hal Pierce.

Maysak made its closest point of approach to the islands of Fais and Ulithi in Yap State, Micronesia earlier today when Ulithi experienced a brief eye passage. According to Advisory Number 20 for Super Typhoon "Maysak" issued by NWS Guam at 21:00 UTC today, the eye of the storm is currently passing north of Yap.

The typhoon warning for Fais has been canceled and damaging winds are no longer expected there. A typhoon warning remains in effect for Ulithi and Yap as Maysak continues moving away and typhoon force winds are winding down.

 Super Typhoon "Maysak" on March 31 at 03:55 UTC. Image credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team

According to Tropical Cyclone Advisory issued by JTWC at 21:00 UTC today, Maysak is located about 111 km (69 miles) northeast of Yap, and has tracked westward at 22 km/h (13.8 mph) over the past six hours. Maximum significant wave height at 18:00 UTC today was 12.8 meters (42 feet). At the same time, Maysak's maximum sustained winds were estimated at 259 km/h (161 mph), wind gusts at 314 kmh (195 mph). 

Its eye is about 27.7 km wide (17.2 mile/27.7 km).

Image credit: MTSAT

Image credit: JTWC

The JTWC forecast calls for Maysak to peak at 287.1 km/h (178.4 mph) on April 1 or 2, before a weakening trend commences.

Maysak is currently forecast to make landfall near Cabanatuan City, Luzon, Philippines sometime on April 5 as an intense 175 km/h (109 mph) typhoon.

It will then emerge in the south China Sea weakened by the rough terrain but still at a strong tropical storm intensity.

Video courtesy of WestPacWx

Satellite animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; CIMSS)

• Tropical West Pacific Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA)

Featured image: Super Typhoon "Maysak" on March 31, 2015. Image credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS