Updated Oct. 8, 2019 8:40 AM
Super Typhoon Hagibis battered Guam and the northern Mariana Islands from Monday into Tuesday and the extremely dangerous storm now has its sights set on Japan.
Prior to reaching Guam, Hagibis went through a period of phenomenal strengthening as the storm went from a tropical depression with sustained winds of 30 mph on Saturday to a super typhoon producing winds of 150 mph only 48 hours later.
During this period of rapid intensification, Hagibis became the third super typhoon of the season and reached a peak strength of 257 km/h (160 mph), tying with Wutip from February for the most power tropical cyclone in the West Pacific basin this year.
Hagibis is seen spinning in the West Pacific on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. Mainland Japan is seen to the north of the storm. (Image/Cira Rammb)
Hurricane Dorian currently holds the distinction of strongest tropical cyclone on the planet this year with sustained winds of 298 km/h (185 mph).
On the heels of Typhoon Tapah and Typhoon Mitag that brought deadly impacts to eastern Asia during the second half of September and early October, forecasters will closely monitor Super Typhoon Hagibis for potentially life-threatening to impacts to Japan this weekend.
Hagibis is currently packing winds equal to a powerful Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic or East Pacific oceans.
Additional strengthening is not expected and Hagibis will likely slowly weaken through Friday as it moves over the open waters of the West Pacific to the south of Japan.
Despite some weakening, Hagibis will remain a powerful typhoon as it approaches Japan and will be capable of producing life-threatening impacts.
Hagibis may still be producing winds equal to a Category 3 major hurricane when it reaches Japan's eastern coastline on Saturday.
Current forecasts take Hagibis to the east of the Ryukyu Islands, with impacts limited to rough seas and surf.
Mainland Japan is not expected to be as lucky with a direct hit possible this weekend.
All of mainland Japan should prepare now for potential impacts ranging from flash flooding to damaging winds, mudslides and travel disruptions.
Residents should also prepare for possible evacuations and some locations may be without power for an extended period during and following the storm.
At this time, areas from eastern Shikoku through central and eastern Honshu are at greatest risk; however, any shift in the track in the coming days may cause this area to be adjusted.
Tokyo is once again in the area that may have some of the most significant impacts from the storm with rain possibly beginning on Friday night before the worst of the wind and rain occurs Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.
By Sunday, much of Japan can expect improving weather; however, downpours and strong winds will still be possible in far northern Honshu and eastern Hokkaido.
Aside from the risks to lives and property, Hagibis may also affect several sporting events across Japan.
The Rugby World Cup has six scheduled matches on Saturday and Sunday when the worst the weather is forecast to affect the country.
Any games canceled due to weather will be recorded as a scoreless draw, according to BBC News.
Also the Japanese Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday afternoon, local time at Suzuka International Racing Course.
Hagibis could deliver both damaging winds and flooding rainfall on the region from Friday night into Saturday night affecting practice, qualification and racing conditions.
The race was ended prematurely in 2014 amid adverse weather after a tragic crash involving Jules Bianchi who later succumbed to injuries.
Hagibis brought rainfall of 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) to Guam with heavier rainfall reported in Rota and Saipan as the storm tracked north of the islands.
Hagibis tracked directly over the uninhabited island of Anatahan with winds over 240 km/h (150 mph).
Check back with AccuWeather as meteorologists continue to track tropical systems as they develop across the Western Pacific, as well as the other ocean basins across the world.
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