West Pacific to remain on alert for new tropical threats following Krosa's strike on Japan
After Krosa delivered a deadly blow to Japan this week, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring other areas for potential tropical development in the West Pacific through next week.
The first area is located from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands westward into the Philippine Sea.
Development could occur as early as Sunday as a tropical wave tries to become better organized as it passes over Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Even if the system doesn't fully develop into a named tropical storm by the time it reaches the islands, the region would be at risk for gusty downpours, localized flooding and increasingly rough seas.
There are signs that this feature may strengthen prior to reaching other locations in eastern Asia later in the week. The corridor where this storm may track with heavy rain, strong winds and pounding seas stretches from the northern Philippines to Taiwan and southern Japan.
However, this scenario is not set in stone.
"Other tools used by AccuWeather meteorologists suggest that this feature never develops into a tropical cyclone," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.
Satellite image showing Typhoon Lekima and Typhoon Krosa in the West Pacific on August 8th. (Japan Meteorological Agnecy/Himawari 8 Satellite)
The second area of concern is located farther east near the international date line in the Central Pacific.
"An area of disturbed weather southwest of Hawaii will drift westward across the date line and could strengthen into a tropical depression or storm as it approaches Wake Island late this weekend and early next week," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
An eventual track toward Japan is possible during the final week of August; however, the storm may also be swept into a larger non-tropical system prior to reaching Japan and be pulled northward over the open North Pacific.
One final area of concern for tropical development over the next 10 days is the South China Sea.
A broad area of showers and thunderstorms is expected to build between China, Taiwan and the northern Philippines early next week.
Recent upwelling that resulted in cool, deep ocean waters to be pulled up to the surface in the wake of once-Super Typhoon Lekima is expected to hinder significant tropical development within this area, according to Nicholls.
"However, even if there is no development, there will be an increased chance for downpours across Taiwan early next week," he stated. Flash flooding and mudslides may result.
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