NAHA - Strong Typhoon No. 18 was moving northwest through the East China Sea on the night of August 26, gradually pulling away from Okinawa and the Amami Islands as lingering rain, strong winds and high waves were expected to ease. As of 9 p.m. on August 26, the typhoon was over waters north-northwest of Kume Island and moving northwest.
It had a central atmospheric pressure of 960 hectopascals, maximum sustained winds of 40 meters per second and maximum gusts of 55 meters per second.
Satellite imagery showed the typhoon retaining a well-defined circular cloud structure, although gaps had appeared around its center, suggesting that dry air was being drawn into the system.
Active rain clouds remained around the storm, particularly in outer rainbands extending away from the center.
Some of these outer bands were still affecting islands around Okinawa, bringing localized rain even as the typhoon moved farther away.
Strong winds also continued in parts of the region. Observations at around 10:20 p.m. on August 26 showed winds exceeding 10 meters per second in some areas.
However, winds were expected to gradually weaken as the storm moved away, while wave heights, which remained elevated in some locations, were also forecast to subside.
The typhoon was expected to briefly slow before accelerating again as it continued northwest.
It was forecast to reach the Chinese mainland and weaken into a tropical depression by around 9 p.m. on August 28.
Although parts of Okinawa and the Amami region were still being affected by the typhoon's outer rainbands, strong winds and high waves, weather conditions were expected to become increasingly settled as the system moved farther away.
Source: ウェザーニュース
