Two Tropical Storms Approach Japan With Possible Convergence

Japan Times reported that two tropical storms are expected to approach mainland Japan this weekend, with their possible convergence complicating forecasts. Tropical Storm Mekkhala, downgraded from typhoon strength, was located 110 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture at 3 p.m. Thursday.

It moved at 15 kph with a central pressure of 985 hectopascals and maximum gusts of 144 kph. Mekkhala is projected to approach southern Japan before turning eastward and reaching the Pacific side of western to eastern Japan on Saturday. Tropical Storm Higos, observed east of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, is forecast to move northeast and approach the Pacific coast of mainland Japan around Sunday morning after becoming an extratropical cyclone.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued Level 4 landslide warnings for parts of Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki and Oita prefectures on Thursday, though some alerts were later lifted. Warnings for high waves and strong winds were also issued for islands in the Okinawa and Amami regions, where maximum wind speeds could reach 108 kph on Friday.

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The agency forecasts up to 300 millimeters of rain in the Tokai region and up to 200 millimeters each in the Kinki and Shikoku regions over the 24-hour period beginning at noon Friday. If the storms converge, the Fujiwhara effect could cause them to diverge, move in succession or merge, Japan Times reported.