United States

Debate of Tropical Cyclone Versus Monsoon Low

August 1, 2014; 2:12 PM ET

The debate over whether the cyclone impacting southern Japan with strong winds and torrential rainfall has been ongoing much of this week.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Philippines Weather Service both named the cyclone a tropical depression earlier this week with the JMA eventually strengthening the cyclone into a Severe Tropical Storm with sustained winds over 60 mph.

This analysis is backed up by torrential rain that fell across the Ryukyu Islands along with wind gusts over 65 mph across Okinawa Thursday into Friday.

Naze, Japan, just north of Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands, has reported more than 300 mm (12 inches) of rain as the cyclone drifted northward across the area.

A widespread 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) has been reported across southwest Japan with locally higher amounts, and more rain is expected into the weekend across both southern Japan and South Korea.

Meanwhile, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, while acknowledging the cyclone and issuing high chances for development, ultimately decided not to name this cyclone, instead calling it a monsoonal low because of the broad low pressure without a uniform wind field.

While the debate could go on endlessly over whether this cyclone was indeed a tropical feature or a monsoonal low, the bigger issue is making sure people are aware of the impacts which have included very strong winds and torrential rainfall.

I have to say I personally agree with the move of the JMA to issue tropical guidance on the cyclone, as the impacts have proven to be just as severe as other tropical cyclones that have moved through the region both this year and in years past.

By issuing tropical warnings, people can then be better prepared for the impending severe weather which could ultimately save lives.

Unfortunately for the areas being impacted by the current cyclone, another tropical threat will arrive next week, as Tropical Storm Halong will strengthen into a typhoon and approach the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan with another round of damaging winds and rain.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of AccuWeather, Inc. or AccuWeather.com