Typhoon Dolphin barrels towards Asia as it reaches 140 mph winds, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane
Historically, only four Central Pacific storms have tracked far enough west to make landfall in Japan, with two of them occurring during a strong El Niño.
El Niño keeps Pacific active as Typhoon Dolphin barrels west toward Asia
MAJOR STORM 🌀: Typhoon Dolphin, which has wind gusts of 140 mph — equivalent to a category 4 hurricane — is barreling west as it continues to travel toward Asia. The FOX Forecast Center will continue to monitor this storm as it could impact southern Japan by the middle of next week.
Typhoon Dolphin, which has wind gusts of 140 mph — equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane — is churning in the Western Pacific as it slowly tracks northwest toward Asia.
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While the storm currently poses no immediate threat to land, it remains a powerful Category 4-equivalent typhoon.
Dolphin peaked as a super typhoon, which is a storm with winds over 150 mph. Typhoon Dolphin reached super typhoon status with wind gusts of 165 mph earlier this week.
(FOX Weather)
After originating over open waters, the system formed into a tropical depression. According to the FOX Forecast Center, "The storm developed a pinhole eye around 6 to 7 miles wide Tuesday during its explosive growth, which is a sign of very rapid intensification."
The storm intensified dramatically, jumping by 95 mph in a 24-hour period to reach 145 mph by Tuesday afternoon, and is expected to peak at 160 to 170 mph.
(FOX Weather)
Historically, only four Central Pacific storms have tracked far enough west to make landfall in Japan, with two of them occurring during a strong El Niño.
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According to NOAA data, the current El Niño is rapidly intensifying, with 81% potential of a very strong or Super El Niño during October through December.
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center will continue to monitor Super Typhoon Dolphin for any potential impacts as it moves west through next week and maintains its structure approaching East Asia.
The storm is expected to gradually weaken next week.
Stay tuned with FOX Weather for the latest updates.