West Pacific remains on high alert as Tropical Storm Krosa strengthens near Guam
Tropical cyclones go by different names such as hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons. Here’s the difference explaining which storm is which.
Tropical Storm Krosa strengthened over the waters of the West Pacific on Tuesday, and could become one of the most powerful tropical cyclones so far this year in the basin.
Typhoon Francisco became just the second typhoon of the year as it strengthened near Japan on Monday. Francisco was the first typhoon since Wutip in February, but weakened after making landfall in southern Japan early Tuesday. Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Lekima, currently located just east of the Philippines, is forecast to become a typhoon on Wednesday.
However, this new tropical threat could dwarf both Francisco and Lekima by the end of this week as it churns northward over the open West Pacific Ocean.
The new tropical depression is currently located near the Northern Mariana Islands and is bringing heavy rainfall to the nearby islands including Guam.
Guam has reported more than 150 mm (6 inches) of rain since Friday and additional downpours will soak the island into Wednesday.
While the rain does pose the risk for flooding across Guam and the Northern Mariana islands, it will be largely beneficial due to an ongoing drought.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Krosa on Tuesday afternoon, local time. (Japan Meteorological Agnecy/Himawari 8 satellite image)
As Krosa tracks to the north and northwest this week, it will become better organized and may reach typhoon status by late Wednesday or Wednesday night.
Further strengthening is forecast during the second half of this week giving the tropical cyclone a chance to become a large and powerful typhoon with winds equal to a Category 2 hurricane in the Atlantic or East Pacific oceans.
A continued northward track this week will take the powerful tropical cyclone toward Japan this weekend with the potential for impacts to the country by early next week.
The long-range track of this storm will determine whether Japan is dealt a glancing blow as the storm turns sharply eastward as it approaches the country or if the storm continues northward resulting in a direct hit.
If landfall occurs, impacts ranging from flash flooding to mudslides, damaging winds and significant travel delays will be possible.
If a track slightly more toward the northwest occurs, this tropical threat could bring the risk for flooding rainfall and strong winds to parts of South Korea as well.
Conversely, a sharp turn prior to reaching Japan may spare the country from widespread severe impacts; however, there may still be the risk for heavy rainfall and gusty winds across parts of Honshu and Hokkaido.
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