Typhoon Chan-hom targets Taipei, Shanghai this week
After moving through Guam over the weekend with up to 304.8 mm (12 inches) of rain, Typhoon Chan-hom will continue to intensify as it tracks toward Japan's Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan and eventually east-central China this week.
Chan-hom will continue to track toward the west and northwest as the strengthening typhoon moves between Guam and China.
The combination of very warm ocean waters and relatively low wind shear will provide a conducive environment for Chan-hom further strengthen with the potential for rapid intensification into a super typhoon by Thursday.
Strengthening into a very large and dangerous cyclone is expected regardless of whether or not super typhoon status is reached.
A super typhoon is the equivalent of a strong category 4 or category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Basins with sustained winds 240 kph (150 mph) or higher.
Strengthening into a very large and dangerous cyclone is expected regardless of whether or not super typhoon status is reached.
Due to the large size and expected strengthening, this system will be capable of producing life-threatening conditions within several hundred kilometers (miles) of its track.
Anyone from Shanghai to Taipei and Okinawa should continue to monitor the progress of Chan-hom for updates to potential impacts, as the latest indications point toward the Ryukyu Islands, northern Taiwan and eastern China facing the greatest risk for destructive winds, flooding rain and an inundating storm surge from Chan-hom late this week.
AccuWeather meteorologists will continue to provide more precise details in the upcoming days to help residents make necessary precautions to protect lives and property.
On the heels of Chan-hom is Typhoon Nangka. This cyclone will also track northwestward through the western Pacific Ocean, slightly more to the north of Chan-hom and strengthen in the process. Interests in the Northern Mariana Islands should be on alert for potential impacts during the middle of the week.
The more northern track of Nangka is will limited the impacts to Guam to a few gusty showers and periods of rain.
After moving through the Northern Mariana Islands, Nangka will continue to strengthen and could pose a threat to Japan next week.
Meteorologists Adam Douty, Kristina Pydynowski and Anthony Sagliani contributed to this story.
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