Typhoon Usagi batters Philippines and Taiwan

Amanda LewanEarth Observation

typhoonUsagi in infrared on Thursday, via Colorado State UniversityOne of the strongest tropical cyclones in at least eight years has formed in the western Pacific Ocean and is moving toward Hong Kong. Categorized as a “super typhoon” at its peak on Thursday (September 19, 2013), Usagi swept through the Luzon Strait separating the Philippines and Taiwan on Saturday (September 21), bringing torrential rains and high winds to island communities. On Saturday morning, Usagi’s maximum sustained winds were at 139 mph with gusts exceeding 163 mph. A storm achieves super typhoon status when winds reach 150 mph. In other words, Usagi is weakening slightly.