Typhoon Lionrock to barrel into Sendai, Japan, on Tuesday

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Typhoon Lionrock is poised to make landfall in Japan early this week with heavy rainfall, damaging winds and an inundating storm surge. The storm surge could reach 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) in certain locations.

Lionrock will move northeastward over the open waters of the northern Pacific Ocean posing hazards to shipping interests as it churns up dangerously rough seas.

Seas will build all along the coast of Japan as Lionrock and another weather system, which will be key to the typhoon's future movement, approach.

Early this week, Lionrock should get drawn to the north, then likely northwest as it interacts with the non-tropical system dropping southward from China. How fast this interaction occurs will determine whether Lionrock hooks into Honshu or Hokkaido in Japan.

"At this point, it appears that Lionrock will make landfall in eastern Honshu around or in between Tokyo and Sendai," AccuWeather Meteorologist Becky Elliott said.

Landfall is predicted to occur on Monday night or Tuesday, local time.

Though past its peak intensity, Lionrock is expected to be a typhoon at landfall. Its strength should be equivalent to that of a Category 1 hurricane with maximum-sustained winds of 119-153 km/h (74-95 mph).

"Wherever this landfall point ends up being, there will be damaging winds and flooding rainfall," Elliott said. "The coast will also be pounded by rough surf and an inundating storm surge."

The risk of flooding rain and strong winds may then shift to northeastern China, the northern Korean Peninsula or Russia's Maritime territory as Lionrock weakens and eventually loses its tropical characteristics at midweek.

Given the current expected track of Lionrock, the potential exists for 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) of rain with locally higher amounts to inundate eastern and central Honshu closest to the center of the system.

There can be widespread amounts in excess of 150 mm (6 inches) in northeastern North Korea and neighboring parts of Russia, further heightening the risk of deadly flooding and mudslides.

These areas will likely be subject to an initial dose of heavy rain from the non-tropical system early in the new week, followed by the soaking from Lionrock at midweek.

For those still recovering from Mindulle, any damaged items that remain loose could become dangerous projectiles by Lionrock’s winds. Trees or branches weakened by Mindulle could easily get toppled over if Lionrock moves through.

Residents in the path of Lionrock are urged to begin making initial preparations and should heed any evacuation orders in the coming days.

Content contributed by meteorologist Rob Richards

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