Hagibis wind speeds expected to ease as it approaches Japan

Super Typhoon Hagibis is closing in on Japan as it moves northwards with maximum sustained wind speeds of 129 mph, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), or 161 mph according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

JTWC’s higher estimate ranks Hagibis as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, whereas JMA has it at Category 3.

On Thursday morning Hagibis was located over open waters 752 miles south of Yokosuka in Japan, according to RMS data. But it is expected to weaken over the next few days and make landfall or bypass close to the southern coast of Japan on Saturday October 12.

JMA predicted Hagibis’ wind speeds would have weakened to 106 mph as it approaches southern Japan. JTWC estimates were again a little higher, with wind speeds expected to have fallen to 115 mph.

Rugby World Cup matches scheduled for Saturday October 12 have been called off.

Hagibis already bypassed north of the Mariana Islands. A state of emergency was declared for the Northern Mariana Islands.