As the tropics around the world remain active, areas from the northern Philippines to Japan are on alert for a slow-moving tropical storm that could bring a substantial flood threat.
A depression that has meandered south of Japan's Ryukyu Islands over the past couple days became Tropical Storm Tapah on Thursday.
The storm is known locally as Nimfa in the Philippines.
Through the end of the week, the storm will remain to the east of Taiwan and south of the Ryukyu Islands as it meanders to the northwest, leading to additional downpours across the region.
The most widespread downpours will be found from Luzon into the southern Ryukyu Islands.
Flash flooding and mudslides may become a concern across Luzon including in and around Manila where more than 100 mm (4 inches) of rain have already fallen since Sunday.
Additional downpours will be possible across the northern Philippines from Friday into the weekend.
A satellite view of newly formed Tropical Storm Tapah. (Image/RAMMB)
Beginning on Friday, a northward turn is expected. This will take Tapah toward the Ryukyu Islands to the east of Taiwan.
As the storm turns northward, it will also move into an area more favorable for strengthening which may allow it to become a typhoon.
The Ryukyu Islands and the rest of Japan will then likely be in the crosshairs of a strengthening tropical cyclone from Friday into the weekend with some impacts potentially lingering into early next week across Japan.
Residents of the Ryukyu Islands and western Japan should prepare now for a potential landfalling tropical storm or typhoon later this week or this weekend and the possibility that evacuations could be necessary.
As the storm tracks northward, it is also expected to grow in size which will allow heavy rain to spread into South Korea.
At this time, southern and eastern South Korea are at greatest risk for heavy rainfall that may arrive as early as Saturday.
Damaging winds will also be a concern along and near South Korea's southern and southeastern coastline as the strengthening storm passes just to the east of the country Sunday into Sunday night.
Any westward shift in the track would increase these risks across the rest of South Korea.
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