Strengthening Typhoon Soulik to threaten Japan by middle of next week

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

August 17, 2018, 1:33:12 PM EDT

Residents of western Japan are being put on alert for strengthening Typhoon Soulik to pose serious threats to lives and property next week. Dangers may also spread to South Korea.

Residents are urged to review evacuation plans and what would need to be done should the storm threaten. It is a good time to stock up on key preparation supplies, medicine and non-perishable food.

If Soulik remains on its current expected track, it could deal western Japan a devastating blow and further strain disaster relief budgets.

"Soulik is most likely to impact Japan Tuesday into Wednesday with southern Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and the northern Ryukyu Islands at greatest risk," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson said.

"There is the potential for Soulik to become a dangerous storm as it approaches Japan, possibly with the equivalent strength of a Category 3 or 4 major hurricane in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific oceans."

Soulik became a typhoon on Friday and should rapidly strengthen this weekend and into Monday. Conditions are conducive enough that Soulik may approach or reach super typhoon status early next week.

As Soulik strengthens, seas will build and become increasingly dangerous for boaters over the waters south of Japan this weekend and into early next week.

Swimmers should be aware that swells will reach the southern coast of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands well ahead of the storm threatening land.

Lives and property will be in peril where Soulik blasts onshore with destructive winds, flooding rain and storm surge flooding. Life-threatening mudslides can also occur in the mountains.

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While western Japan has had time to dry out in the wake of the extreme rain event from early July, mudslides can easily be triggered where the ground remains unstable or lacks thick vegetation.

If Soulik strikes Japan, it would be yet another blow for the nation that has already dealt with historic flooding and deadly heat earlier this summer.

The extensive cleanup and recovery work done by residents and crews in the flood disaster areas could be reversed should Soulik target these areas.

Strong winds can turn any lingering debris into flying projectiles and destroy weak structures.

Residents are strongly urged to pay attention to local officials and follow any evacuation orders that are issued as the exact track of the storm becomes clearer.

Mainland Japan could escape the devastating blow if Soulik tracks farther to the west than latest projections.

"In this scenario, the Ryukyu Islands would feel the brunt of the storm," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

The exact track Soulik takes through Japan will determine how much of the Korean Peninsula is threatened at midweek.

If Soulik curves to the north and makes landfall in Shikoku, South Korea may escape significant impacts.

"A track into the Ryukyu Islands would also put South Korea at greater risk as the storm curves to the north and northeast," Douty said.

The exception would be if Soulik fails to turn to the north and maintains a westward track into eastern China.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of the threatening storm's impacts.

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