Typhoon Malakas Brings Winds and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Malakas brought strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Malakas was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 140.4°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Two To. Malakas was moving toward the north-northeast at 24 m.p.h (39 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Typhoon Malakas weakened as it approached Iwo To, but Malakas still brought strong winds and heavy rain to the island. An upper level trough near Japan was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Malakas’ circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the shear was affecting the distribution of thunderstorms. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Typhoon Malakas. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

There continued to be a large circulation around Typhoon Malakas. Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Malakas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Malakas was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 21.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.9.

Typhoon Malakas will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Malakas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23˚C. The upper level trough near Japan will continue to produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the typhoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. Typhoon Malakas will continue to weaken during the next 36 hours. The combination of colder water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Malakas to make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough near Japan will steer Typhoon Malakas quickly toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Malakas will cross the Ogasawara Islands during the next 24 hours. Malakas will bring strong winds and heavy rain the Ogasawara Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Weather conditions should improve on Iwo To on Friday when Malakas moves away from the island.