Tag Archives: Okinawa

Tropical Storm Khanun Spins East of the Philippines

Tropical Khanun was spinning east of the Philippines on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 134.4°E which put it about 870 miles (1405 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Khanun gradually became more organized as it spun east of the Philippines on Friday. The distribution of thunderstorms in Khanun’s circulation was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Khanun. The strongest winds were occurring in those rainbands. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the southern side of Khanun. Bands in the northern half of Khanun consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The winds in the northern side of Tropical Storm Khanun were blowing at less than tropical storm force. Storms near the center of Khanun’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Khanun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level ridge over eastern China. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Khanun’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Khanun is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Khanun will move around the southwestern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Khanun toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Khanun will move toward the Ryukyu Islands. Khanun could approach Okinawa in less than 72 hours.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Doksuri weakened as it moved farther inland over eastern China. Doksuri was still dropping heavy rain over parts of eastern China. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Doksuri was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 117.0°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of Jingdezhen, China. Doksuri was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Typhoon Doksuri Hits Eastern China

Typhoon Doksuri hit eastern China on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Doksuri was located at latitude 24.8°N and longitude 118.5°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of Xiamen, China. Doksuri was moving toward the north-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 940 mb.

The center of Typhoon Doksuri made landfall on the east coast of China between Xiamen and Quanzhou on Thursday night. Doksuri was bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Fujian. Winds to typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Doksuri’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Doksuri was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.8. Typhoon Doksuri was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Sally when Sally hit Alabama in 2020.

Typhoon Doksuri will continue to move toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Doksuri will move inland over eastern China. Doksuri will weaken as it moves inland. The core of Typhoon Doksuri will bring strong winds to Fujian. Doksuri will also drop heavy rain over parts of Fujian. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Doksuri will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Depression 06W strengthened to Tropical Storm Khanun east of the Philippines. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Khanun was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 135.7°E which put it about 1060 miles (1710 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Khanun was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb. Tropical Storm Khanun is forecast to move toward the Ryukyu Islands and to strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Mawar Brings Wind and Rain to Okinawa

Tropical Storm Mawar brought wind and rain to Okinawa on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Mawar was located at latitude 26.1°N and longitude 127.5°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) southwest of Okinawa. Mawar was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Former Typhoon Mawar weakened to a tropical storm as it moved closer to Okinawa on Thursday. Even though Mawar was a tropical storm, it still produced gusty winds and rain in Okinawa. A weather station in Naha measured a sustained wind speed of 41 m.p.h. (66 km/h). The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical in Tropical Storm Mawar. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands east and south of the center of Mawar. Bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Storm Mawar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of Mawar’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mawar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is west of Japan. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Mawar’s circulation. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Mawar will also pull drier air from Asia into the western part of its circulation. More vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Storm Mawar to gradually weaken.

The upper level trough west of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Mawar toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Mawar will pass near Okinawa during the next few hours. Weather conditions in Okinawa will start to improve when Tropical Storm Mawar moves away later today. Mawar will pass south of Honshu after it moves away from Okinawa. Tropical Storm Mawar could pass south of Tokyo in less than 48 hours.

Typhoon Mawar Moves South-southeast of Miyakojima

Typhoon Mawar move south-southeast of Miyakojima on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Typhoon Mawar was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 125.6°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of Miyakojima, Japan. Mawar was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Typhoon Mawar continued to weaken slowly as it moved closer to the southern Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday. The circulation around Mawar was pulling drier air from Asia into the western part of the typhoon. Bands in the western half of Typhoon Mawar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Many of the thunderstorms in Mawar were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the typhoon. Storms in the eastern half of Mawar’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Mawar. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Mawar will move through an environment that will be less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The drier air in the western half of Mawar’s circulation air will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the typhoon. In addition, since Typhoon Mawar is moving slowly, winds in the lower levels are likely to mix cooler water to the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The effects of the drier air and mixing of cooler water to the surface of the ocean are likely to cause Typhoon Mawar to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Mawar will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Mawar toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Mawar will pass a little to the east of Miyakojima in 12 hours. Mawar could approach Okinawa in 24 hours. Mawar is likely to be tropical storm when it reaches Okinawa.

Typhoon Mawar Slows South of the Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Mawar slowed over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of the Ryukyu Islands on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Mawar was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 125.0°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south of Miyakojima, Japan. Mawar was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Typhoon Mawar weakened as it moved slowly toward the Ryukyu Islands on Tuesday. The circulation around Mawar appeared to pull drier air from Asia into the northwestern part of the typhoon. Thunderstorms in bands in the northwestern quadrant of Typhoon Mawar weakened on Tuesday. The northwestern part of the eyewall also weakened. Most of the remaining thunderstorms were occurring in the southern half of Typhoon Mawar. Storms near the center of Mawar’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The divergence of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of Typhoon Mawar and the surface pressure continued to increase.

Even though Typhoon Mawar was weaker, it continued to have a large circulation after several eyewall replacement cycles. Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Mawar. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 225 miles (360 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Mawar will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Drier air will persist northwest of Typhoon Mawar. The drier air will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in the northern half of Mawar’s circulation. In addition, since Typhoon Mawar is moving slowly, winds in the lower levels are likely to mix cooler water to the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The effects of the drier air and mixing of cooler water to the surface of the ocean are likely to cause Typhoon Mawar to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Typhoon Mawar will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Mawar slowly toward the north during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Mawar will be near Miyakojima in 36 hours. Mawar could be near Okinawa in less than 72 hours.

Typhoon Mawar Moves Southeast of Ryukyu Islands

Typhoon Mawar moved southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Mawar was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 135.8°E which put it about 930 miles (1500 km) southeast of Okinawa. Mawar was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 200 m.p.h. (320 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 910 mb.

Concentric eyewalls formed in the core of Typhoon Mawar on Friday morning and another eyewall replacement cycle was underway. The inner eye had a diameter of 30 miles (50 km). The inner eye was surrounded by a larger, outer eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls. Storms near the core of Mawar’s circulation generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm in all directions. The removal of large quantities of mass allowed the surface pressure to remain very low.

The formation of concentric eyewalls caused the size of the circulation around Typhoon Mawar to increase again. Winds to typhoon force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Mawar’s. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center of Mawar. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Mawar was 36.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 33.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 70.3. Typhoon Mawar was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Katrina when Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.

Typhoon Mawar will move through an environment favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Mawar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the the axis of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Although the environment is favorable, Typhoon Mawar is likely to weaken while the eyewall replacement cycle occurs. The low level inflow will become more concentrated in the larger outer eyewall and the inner eyewall will weaken. Since the strongest winds are occurring in the inner eyewall, Mawar will weaken when the inner eyewall dissipates. Typhoon Mawar could start to strengthen again once the inner eyewall dissipates and the outer eyewall begins to contract around the center of circulation.

Typhoon Mawar will move around the southern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Mawar toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Mawar could move southeast of Ishigakijima, Japan in three or four days.

Powerful Typhoon Nanmadol Is East of Okinawa

Powerful Typhoon Nanamadol was east of Okinawa on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 132.7°E which put it about 330 miles (530 km) east of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

Powerful Typhoon Nanmadol was churning over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of Okinawa on Friday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 km) was present at the center of Nanmadol. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

The size of the circulation around Typhoon Nanmadol increased on Friday when Nanmadol intensified. Winds to typhoon force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 260 miles (420 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Nanmadol was 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 59.6. Typhoon Nanmadol was capable of causing widespread severe damage.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment capable of supporting a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours. Nanmadol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Nanmadol could maintain much of its intensity during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That would be the start of an eyewall replacement cycle that would cause Nanmadol to weaken.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Nanmadol will be east of Minami Daito Jima within 12 hours. Nanmadol could be east of Amami Oshima in 24 hours. Typhoon Nanmadol will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the northern Ryukyu Islands during the weekend. Nanmadol could be near western Kyushu in 36 hours.

Typhoon Nanmadol Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Typhoon Nanmadol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane south of Japan during Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 535 miles (860 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Typhoon Nanmadol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan during Thursday night. A well formed circular eye was present at the center of Nanmadol’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon in all directions.

The circulation around Typhoon Nanmadol was symmetrical. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Nanmadol was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.2. Typhoon Nanmadol was capable of causing widespread major damage.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nanmadol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Nanmadol will intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. That would be the start of an eyewall replacement cycle that would cause Nanmadol to weaken.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward then northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Nanmadol will be east of Minami Daito Jima within 24 hours. Nanmadol could be east of Amami Oshima in 36 hours. Typhoon Nanmadol will bring strong, gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the northern Ryukyu Islands during the weekend.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Muifa weakened over the northern Yellow Sea. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 38.5°N and longitude 121.8°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Yantai, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Nanmadol Strengthens to a Typhoon South of Japan

Former Tropical Storm Nanmadol strengthened to a typhoon south of Japan on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Nanmadol was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 137.5°E which put it about 660 miles (1065 km) east-southeast of Okinawa. Nanmadol was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Nanmadol intensified to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Thursday morning. A circular eye formed at the center of Nanmadol’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Typhoon Nanmadol. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation in the northern side of Nanmadol. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Nanmadol will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Typhoon Nanmadol will intensify during the next 36 hours. It is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Typhoon Nanmadol will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nanmadol toward then northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Nanmadol could approach the northern Ryukyu Islands in 48 hours. Nanmadol is likely to be a large, dangerous typhoon when it moves near the north Ryukyu Islands.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Muifa weakened over the Yellow Sea and Typhoon Merbok was transitioning to a powerful extratropical cyclone south of the western Aleutian Islands. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 34.6°N and longitude 120.3°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Qingdao, China. Muifa was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Merbok was located at latitude 41.0°N and longitude 166.0°E which put it about 890 miles (1435 km) south-southwest of Kiska, Alaska. Merbok was moving toward the north-northeast at 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

Tropical Storm Muifa Forms Southeast of the Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Muifa formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Muifa was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 132.6°E which put it about 730 miles (1175 km) south-southeast of Okinawa. Muifa was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system southeast of the Ryukyu Islands exhibited more organization on Wednesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Muifa. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Muifa was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Muifa’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Muifa consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms west of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Muifa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Muifa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Muifa’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Muifa will intensify during the next 48 hours. Muifa could strengthen to a typhoon in 24 hours. Muifa could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Muifa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Muifa toward the northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Muifa could approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 72 hours. Muifa is likely to be a typhoon when it approaches the southern Ryukyu Islands.