Super Typhoon “Yutu” approaching the Marianas, very strong winds and heavy rain expected
Tropical Cyclone "Yutu" formed October 21, 2018 in the Northwest Pacific Ocean as 26th named storm of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season. The storm will move over the Mariana Islands sometime after noon UTC, October 24 as a Super Typhoon (260 km/h, 160 mph).
The National Weather Service in Guam has posted a typhoon warning for Rota, Tinian and Saipan and a tropical storm warning for Guam, and the far northern islands of Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.
At 18:00 UTC on October 23, the center of Typhoon "Yutu" was located about 530 km (329 miles) east-southeast of Rota, Northern Mariana Islands. Its maximum 10-minute sustained winds were 155 km/h (100 mph), 1-minute sustained winds were at 165 km/h (105 mph), with gusts to 220 km/h (140 mph).
The minimum central barometric pressure was 950 hPa and the system was moving northwestward at 20 km/h (10 mph).
Featured image: Typhoon "Yutu" at 19:10 UTC, October 23, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA
Featured image: Typhoon "Yutu" at 19:10 UTC, October 23, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA
Featured image: Typhoon "Yutu" at 19:10 UTC, October 23, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA
At 00:00 UTC, October 24, Yutu had maximum sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph), making it a Super Typhoon.
On the forecast track, the center of Yutu will move over the Mariana Islands after 12:00 UTC, October 24. Maximum sustained winds at the time should be around 260 km/h, (160 mph). This would make it a Category 5 hurricane equivalent on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Strengthening is expected to continue over the next 72 hours and the typhoon is forecast to peak around 00:00 UTC, October 27 with maximum sustained winds near 290 km/h (180 mph).
Read more:
Extensive damage to Saipan, Tinian and Rota after deadly Super Typhoon "Yutu" makes landfall
Featured image: Typhoon "Yutu" at 17:20 UTC, October 23, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.