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STS Lan to intensify explosively into a Super Typhoon on its way toward Japan

lan-to-intensify-explosively-into-super-typhoon-on-its-way-toward-japan

Tropical Storm "Lan" formed October 15, 2017 east of the Philippines as the 21st named storm of the 2017 Pacific typhoon season, 25th if you add those named by PAGASA. Lan is currently a Severe Tropical Storm and is expected to intensify explosively into a Super Typhoon over the next couple of days as it tracks toward Japan.

At 09:00 UTC on October 17, the center of Severe Tropical Storm "Lan" was located 413 km (256 miles) NW of Palau, 1 311 km (814 miles) SSE of Manila, Philippines and 1 847 km (1 147 miles) S of Okinawa, Japan.

The system had maximum sustained winds of 92.6 km/h (57.5 mph) and gusts to 120 km/h (74 mph). Over the past 6 hours, it was tracking SSE at 5.5 km/h (3.4 mph), according to the JTWC.

At 12:00 UTC, its minimum central pressure was 980 hPa, according to the JMA.

Severe Tropical Storm Lan at 13:40 UTC on October 17, 2017

Severe Tropical Storm "Lan" at 13:40 UTC on October 17, 2017. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8 (CIRA)

Lan is forecast to remain quasi-stationary over the next 12 hours before a subtropical ridge to the east builds sufficiently driving the system on a steady northwest track.

Environmental conditions will improve over the next 12 to 72 hours as the point source aligns with the low-level circulation and the system further consolidates.

The slow to moderate track motion over extremely high oceanic heat content will fuel an intensification phase and Lan is expected to reach a Super Typhoon strength by 09:00 UTC, October 20. The extent of gale force winds are forecast to extend a notable distance from the system center, enhanced by a cold surge over the East China Sea.

Although Lan is currently expected to track far enough east of Japan's Ryukyu Islands, rough seas and gusty showers can be expected.

Severe Tropical Storm Lan JTWC forecast track October 16, 2017

Sometime around 09:00 UTC on October 22, Lan will begin interacting with the mid-latitude jet and start transitioning into an extratropical system. At that time, its center is expected to be SE of Kyushu, Japan.

After that, Lan will threaten mainland Japan for a direct hit. At this time, the highest risk is expected from Shikoku through central and north Honshu and eastern Hokkaido.

Featured image: Severe Tropical Storm "Lan" at 13:40 UTC on October 17, 2017. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8 (CIRA)

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