Mindulle rapidly strengthens into third super typhoon of the 2021 Pacific typhoon season

Tropical Storm "Mindulle" formed at 09:00 UTC on September 23, 2021, as the 15^th named storm of the 2021 Pacific typhoon season. The cyclone rapidly intensified into a Category 5 super typhoon by 00:00 UTC on September 26, making it the third super typhoon of the season.

At 09:00 UTC on September 26, the center of Super Typhoon "Mindulle" was located about 819 km (509 miles) southwest of Iwo To, Japan. 

Its maximum 10-minute sustained winds were 195 km/h (120 mph), with gusts up to 280 km/h (175 mph), while maximum 1-minute sustained winds were 270 km/h (165 mph).

The storm had a minimum central pressure of 920 hPa and was almost stationary.

Mindulle is forecast to drift slowly northward over the next 24 to 36 hours, caught in the clutches of two competing steering influences, according to the JTWC.¹

The system is expected to accelerate NE after 09:00 UTC on September 29 and begun extra-tropical transition by 09:00 UTC on October 4.

Super Typhoon "Mindulle" at 06:20 UTC on September 26, 2021. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA, TW

References:

¹ Super Typhoon 20W (Mindulle) Warning #16 Issued at 26/0900Z – JTWC

Featured image credit: Super Typhoon "Mindulle" at 06:20 UTC on September 26, 2021. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA, TW