Typhoon KOPPU (LANDO) October 2015 XWF Latest Updates, Track Forecast

TRACK TYPHOON KOPPU LIVE

Updates based on Japan Meteorological Agency, Joint Typhoon Warning Center and global forecast models.

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Update: October 20, 2015

Tropical storm KOPPU is weakening all the time as it prepares to leave the shores of Philippines.

The JTWC is still bullish on the storm and believes it will only dissipate on October 25. We believe it will weaken to a mere depression by tomorrow. It will not have any significant impact on Taiwan.

Update: October 19, 2015

The bad news for Philippines is the tropical storm is going to move slowly and will leave the country's shores only after 48 hours if not more. That means still more rains in Luzon for another 2-3 days.

As to its future, KOPPU is not going to intensify again as it heads towards Taiwan. But it will bring heavy rains to the country on October 23 as it moves close past its eastern coast. Winds will be tropical storm strength- about 70-90 km/h.

Update: October 17, 2015

KOPPU is intensifying presently. Soon it will be a category 4 hurricane with winds of 120 knots, gusts up to 140 knots. That is winds of 225-270 km/h.

Thankfully for Philippines the intensity of the typhoon will decrease. Wind speeds expected at impact on Luzon will be 180-220 km/h. Hardly any consolation.

The most worrying aspect is that KOPPU will leave Luzon completely only on October 21. That means incessant rains for 5 days. Heavy flooding and landslides are expected.

The system will weaken to a tropical storm after making landfall. After Philippines, it will move past the eastern shores of Taiwan on October 23. Expect strong winds and heavy rainfall in that country around October 23.

After moving past Taiwan KOPPU will weaken into a depression on October 24 in the East China Sea.

There is some disagreement amongst forecast models as to KOPPU's future. An alternative scenario is that it skips past southern Taiwan and makes landfall into Fujian province of China on October 23.

Latest JTWC track forecast

Forecast map for track and intensity

Update: October 16, 2015

Latest data from reliable computer models indicates a hit on Luzon on late Sunday noon PHT. Expected wind speeds at impact will be 180-220 km/h. The cyclone will weaken after impact but the major worry is the torrential downpours on northern Philippines for 3 days. Koppu will linger over Luzon for 72 hours.

It is expected to make landfall into Guangdong province of China on October 24.

Taiwan will not be affected except for showers in southern part of the island on October 22-23.

Update: October 15, 2015

The JTWC predicts in its latest bulletin that the violent typhoon will hit Luzon on Saturday afternoon with winds of 180-220 km/h.

Update: October 15, 2015

It is now certain that typhoon KOPPU will slam into Luzon in northern Philippines on October 18, 2015.  Not just touch the northeastern part of Luzon as some forecasts were saying but move right through it. Manila will be directly hit.

The storm is going to rapidly intensify in the next 48 hours.

KOPPU will take 2 days to move past Luzon so flooding torrential rains accompanied by strong winds can be expected October 18-20.

Thankfully the cyclone will weaken before hitting Philippines.

After Philippines?

Where will KOPPU go after Luzon? Models differ. Some predict a weakened KOPPU will move close past Taiwan on October 22-23. Other models say it will make landfall into China at northern Guangdong or southern part of Fujian province on October 22.

Water vapor satellite image of tropical storm KOPPU at 0400 hours GMT October 15, 2015

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Update: October 14, 2015, 1630 GMT

Typhoon Koppu will turn into a violent typhoon when it hits Luzon on October 18. Torrential ràins and 230-270 km/h winds expected.

Update: October 14, 2015

Though present forecasts by JTWC says KOPPU will move through the northeast tip of Luzon we believe it will hit the area head on October 18 and move though it in the next 24 hours thereafter. We also predict Taiwan will be hit directly on October 22.

But it is not going to be a very strong typhoon. A category 1 or 2 (at most) cyclone according Saffir- Simpson scale. Winds of 120 km/h.

Latest satellite image of typhoons KOPPU and CHAMPI and their expected track (October 14 forecast)

Update: October 13, 2015 (0930 GMT)

The JTWC in its latest bulletin predicts typhoon KOPPU will hit Luzon, Philippines on October 18 with winds of 220-270 km/h.

Update: October 13, 2015

There are two typhoons imminent in the western Pacific Ocean. Future typhoon KOPPU is a tropical storm and will intensify into a typhoon in the next 48 hours or less. It recently passed Northern Marianas as a tropical depression. Position at 0000 hours today was 15.6 N, 143.1 E.

Future typhoon CHAMPI is in the Micronesia Islands presently. Position at 0000 hours today was 12 N, 162.2 E.

CHAMPI is expected to swing north in a couple of days harmlessly.

KOPPU is a cause of concern for the Philippines. Presently major forecast models differ as to its track. The intensity is not in doubt. It will be a category 3-4 ( may be 5) hurricane by October 18.

As to its track. One model predicts a direct hit on Luzon in northern Philippines on October 18. It will then hover around Luzon for 24-36 hours and move north, weaken and hit Taiwan on October 20, 2015.

 Another model says it will come dangerously close to Luzon on October 18-19 but will then swing north. Taiwan may be in peril.

Stay with us for continuous updates.

Recent satellite image showing future typhoons KOPPU and CHAMPI 

Track forecast for future typhoon KOPPU 

Present position of future typhoon Champi