Typhoons Goni And Atsani Rapidly Heading Toward Southeast Asia

Twin typhoons Goni and Atsani are marching toward Southeast Asia through the tropical western Pacific Ocean, according to reports. Goni is expected to hit Taiwan, the northern Philippines or Japan’s Ryuku Islands this week, while Atsani will affect Japan’s mainland next week.

Atsani reached super typhoon status and Goni is likely to follow, according to weather forecasters. Meteorologists deem typhoons to have "super" status if they have maximum sustained surface winds of at least 150 mph. The last time two super typhoons were seen together in the region was in October 1997, when typhoons Ivan and Joan overlapped.

"The track of these two storms will keep them far enough apart from each other to prevent their wind fields from disrupting one another," AccuWeather meteorologist Anthony Sagliani said.

According to the Weather Channel, typhoon Goni, currently about 800 miles east-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan, had maximum estimated sustained winds of 115 mph Tuesday evening, making it equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.

"Wind shear will increase in the path of Goni late this week, causing it to weaken some," Sagliani reportedly said. "While it may not be at peak intensity, the system should still be very impactive regardless of whether or not landfall occurs in Taiwan."

Before heading to Japan’s Ryuku Islands, Goni is expected to move east of Taiwan this weekend. The typhoon will also reportedly target the Korean Peninsula during the first half of next week.

Goni will be accompanied by destructive winds, flooding rain and inundating storms as it moves near Taiwan, said AccuWeather. Eastern and northern Taiwan, including Taipei, are likely to be affected by Goni.

Meanwhile, Atsani is gaining strength gradually, according to the Weather Channel. Atsani’s maximum sustained winds Tuesday were recorded at 150 mph, which is reportedly equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.

The West Pacific Basin has witnessed 10 typhoons so far this year, according to reports, of which five reached super typhoon strength.