Tropical Storm Talim Expected to Bring Strong Winds, Flooding Rain to Japan

Understanding The Cone Of Uncertainty

Talim, now a tropical storm, is bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to mainland Japan as it accelerates northeastward.

(MORE: Hurricane Central)

Over 20 inches of rainfall has already observed in Tano, Miyazaki Prefecture, on the southeastern side of Kyushu, Japan from Thursday into Saturday. On Saturday alone, many sites in Miyazaki Prefecture recorded more than 6 inches. 

Sustained winds were reported between 35 and 50 mph throughout Kagoshima Prefecture, including in Kaori, where winds blew to 22.2 m/s or 50 mph. 

Fortunately, the path of Talim through the East China Sea was sufficiently far west to spare Naha, Okinawa, of typhoon conditions. The peak gust measured at Kadena Air Base was 55 mph, with only a brief period of tropical storm-force sustained winds on September 13. 

The southern Ryukyu Islands, however, took a direct hit from Talim.

(MORE: Talim Impacts)

The Miyako-Jima Island airport clocked a wind gust to 108 mph late Wednesday, local time, and picked up a 24-hour record rainfall of 479 millimeters (18.86 inches). Over a two-day period, Miyako-Jima picked up 515.5 millimeters of rain (20.30 inches), also a record, there, dating to 1977.

Japan Forecast Impact

Talim continues to accelerate and will move through Kyushu, Skikoku and western Honshu, Japan on Sunday into early Monday, local time, before the remnant, still intense extratropical low swipes the northernmost main island of Hokkaido Monday.

Strong winds are a threat along this general path, particularly in southwest and southern Japan, this weekend.

While not as strong as what parts of western Japan may experience, Tokyo could see at least tropical storm force winds Sunday evening through early Monday, likely during celebrations for Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.

(FORECAST: Kobe | Tokyo)

Flash flooding and mudslides are dangers and heavy rainfall moves northeastward through the island chain.

Fortunately, Talim moves rather quickly once caught up in the jet stream, hopefully reducing the flood threat relative to events we've seen in the recent past.