Koppu developed into a typhoon early Friday morning local time and is currently churning between Guam and the Philippines. Disruptive wind shear has prevented Koppu from taking advantage of the warm waters of the Pacific and strengthening significantly. That should change by this weekend as Koppu approaches Luzon.
"Rapid intensification is likely to occur right before Koppu reaches Luzon," stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty. "Koppu could become a significant typhoon, possibly the equivalent to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane."
Koppu will not only strengthen as it approaches the Philippines but will also slow down significantly. The combination of a powerful and slow-moving typhoon could spell a disastrous situation for residents and communities in its path, which will be northern Luzon Island in Koppu's case.
From this weekend into early next week, Koppu will crawl toward or into northern Luzon Island before eventually turning to the north. Koppu is expected to make landfall, but how quickly it turns north will determine the duration of life-threatening conditions for northern Luzon.
While damaging winds are a concern, the greatest threat will be life-threatening flooding from days of torrential rainfall.
"A total of 300 to 600 mm (12 to 24 inches) of rain is expected to be widespread," stated Douty. There will even be localized amounts upwards or in excess of 900 mm (36 inches). Such rain is sure to trigger severe and life-threatening flooding and mudslides.............http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/tropical-storm-koppu-to-streng/52977291
16/10/15
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- http://www.ubalert.com/8tcc
Typhoon Koppu (Lando) to Bring Serious Flood, Landslide Dangers to Philippines...
ReplyDeleteTyphoon Koppu looks increasingly likely to deliver extremely heavy rainfall to the northern Philippines this weekend and early next week, bringing the potential for dangerous flooding and mudslides.
Koppu is the western of two active tropical cyclones in the western Pacific, as Champi is the eastern storm.
On Thursday afternoon (mainland U.S. time) Koppu, the 24th named storm of 2015 in the northwest Pacific Ocean, became the 15th to reach typhoon strength. The cyclone is getting better organized and is gaining strength.
Satellite imagery Thursday night showed an expansive area of convection, or thunderstorm activity, along with the tell-tale pattern of high, thin cirrus clouds fanning out in curved bands from the periphery of the cyclone. Such patterns are signs of a strengthening tropical cyclone.
There is still some potential that it could rapidly intensify before reaching the northern Philippines this weekend and grinding to a near-halt.................http://www.weather.com/storms/typhoon/news/typhoon-koppu-tropical-storm-western-pacific-philippines
Philippines on alert as Typhoon Koppu nears...
ReplyDeleteThe Philippines is preparing for a typhoon that is forecast to dump heavy rain and cause severe flooding when it arrives at the weekend.
On Friday President Benigno Aquino warned people living in the path of Typhoon Koppu to be ready to evacuate.
In a TV address, he said the storm could bring up to 12 hours' torrential rain and cause severe flooding.
It was Mr Aquino's first such appeal since Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013, leaving more than 6,000 people dead.
Koppu is due to hit the northern island of Luzon early on Sunday.
Forecasters say it is packing winds of up to 180km/h (115mph) and is slow moving, meaning it could bring intense rain over a long period of time.
The first heavy rain was expected in parts of northern and central Luzon on Saturday.
In his address, Mr Aquino urged the estimated six million people in the typhoon's direct path to listen to government warnings and be ready to evacuate their homes if necessary.
He said aid agencies had already distributed emergency supplies to evacuation centres..............http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34558887
17/10/15