Typhoon Hagibis is making landfall in Shizouka prefecture and will be moving further inland, across the Kanto region, including the Tokyo metro area. Severe winds, including at least one wedge tornado, torrential rainfall, major flooding and intense waves are reported.
Typhoon Hagibis at 7:10 UTC on Saturday, October 12th. Image: Himawari-8 / Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
As of 6h UTC on Saturday typhoon Hagibis is an equivalent-CAT2 system with 157 km/h sustained winds (per JWTC). and will likely weakend below tropical storm strength threshold and become an extratropical storm by early on Sunday.
Typhoon Hagibis at 7:10 UTC on Saturday, October 12th. Image: Himawari-8 / Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Hagibis is affecting south-southwest Japan as it makes landfall. Even ahead of the landfall severe winds, major rainfall and major waves were reported. A large, powerful wedge tornado hit Chiba prefecture, on a storm in the outer bands of typhoon Hagibis.
Very significant damage by the tornado is reported, it is quite possible that this will be the worst wind damage from typhoon Hagibis (barring the possibility of another strong tornado in the outer bands).
Torrential rainfall is already affecting parts of Japan. Rivers are nearing flooding levels, locally some lower-lying areas are experiencing flooding.
Major waves are pounding the coast:
Stay tuned for further reports as Hagibis makes landfall!