Typhoon Halola sets eye on Okinawa

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  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  As of 5 a.m. local time here, The 18th Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Barry Cornish, has directed Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2.

At 3 a.m., Typhoon Halola, with winds gusting to 100 knots near its center, was located 300 nautical miles southeast of Kadena, moving west at 8 knots.

Currently, the closest forecast point of approach for the typhoon is 77 nautical miles from the base at 11 a.m. July 25. If Typhoon Halola continues to move as forecast, damaging winds of 50 knots or greater are anticipated to occur from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25. The greatest winds are expected to be 50 knots with gusts of 75 knots at 12 p.m. July 25.

However, Okinawa residents are reminded to stay indoors, as the elevated winds could carry debris, creating dangerous conditions.

Typhoon season for Okinawa begins June 1 each year, when TCCOR-4 was declared as the default condition of readiness until Nov. 30.

Typhoons are formed when warm surface water from the Pacific Ocean combines with the high humidity and low, cool winds in the region. They usually form near Guam before heading toward Okinawa and on to mainland Japan.

Fortunately, buildings on Okinawa are built with typhoons in mind, so residents who stay indoors during storms should be relatively safe. Also, the 18th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight monitors tropical storms and keeps the public informed with up-to-date information.

For more information about TCCORs or preparation procedures, visit the typhoon factsheet on the Kadena Air Base website at http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/typhoons/index.asp or the Shogun Weather page at http://shogunweather.com/.

Additionally, follow the Kadena Air Base Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kadenaairbase/ for the most up-to-date information.