POWERFUL TYPHOON NEPARTAK HITTING TAIWAIN WITH FORCE! (credit: NOAA Satellite and Information Service)

DISCUSSION: A slowly-weakening Super Typhoon Nepartak continues his impact both eastern  and central portions of Taiwan this afternoon and evening (local time).  However, the dangerous combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and violent storm surge along the eastern-facing coastlines of Taiwan will combine to create life-threatening conditions throughout the country.  Of particular concern, with the heavy rainfall, is the higher probability and increasing likelihood of landslides and/or mudslides as heavy rainfall continues to weaken the surface and sub-surface soil along and on top of mountainsides.  Although the storm is currently beginning to slowly weaken (as previously mentioned), the storm is still at super typhoon status with maximum sustained wind speeds at or just above 150 mph with gusts up to 185 mph!  Moreover, note how in the image below (courtesy of the NOAA Satellite and Information Service) you can clearly see the gorgeous symmetry in the deepest convective parts of the inner-circulation of this powerful tropical cyclone. Thus, this is a very dangerous and serious situation that continues to threaten the entire nation of Taiwan and will go on to move off to the west and then northwest before impacting portions of Eastern China where life-threatening flooding and strong winds will bring life-threatening conditions as well.  To learn more about this as well as other high-impact weather events from across the Western Pacific Ocean, be sure to click here!