Typhoons Seen at 2nd-Fastest Pace

August 21, 2018

Tokyo- Typhoons have been seen at the second-fastest pace on record this year, mainly due to strong monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Typhoon Cimaron, this year's 20th typhoon, was generated Saturday night, the second-earliest date for the 20th typhoon of the year, after Aug. 8, 1971.

According to the agency, the number of typhoons averages 1.7 in June, 3.6 in July and 5.9 in August.

This year, however, the number stood at 4 in June, 5 in July and 8 in August as of Sunday.

Typhoons were generated for five straight days for the first time on record, from Aug. 12, when the 15th typhoon occurred, to Thursday. The five typhoons included the 17th one that turned from a hurricane by crossing the international date line from the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Typhoons mostly occur over tropical waters east of the Philippines.

This year has seen stronger monsoon southwesterly winds from the Indian Ocean, in addition to abundant water vapor, which creates rain clouds, due to warmer water temperatures.

Meanwhile, trade winds are also blowing from the east to the northern part of the tropical waters, moving air flows counterclockwise in the area caught between the two winds.

The situation makes it easier to cause swirling rain clouds in the area, generating a greater number of typhoons this year.

The agency said Tuesday that strong Typhoon Soulik, this year's 19th typhoon, is forecast to travel northwest off the western coast of the Kyushu southwestern region after approaching southern Kyushu and the Kagoshima Prefecture island of Amami Oshima between Tuesday night and the small hours of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Cimaron may make landfall on the Shikoku region or the Kii Peninsula, both in western Japan, on Thursday or Friday. Jiji Press