The projected path of Typhoon No. 25 Dujuan. [Korea Meteorological Administration]
The projected path of Typhoon No. 25 Dujuan. [Korea Meteorological Administration]

As early autumn weather brings daily temperature swings of more than 10 degrees Celsius, attention is turning to a tropical depression east of Guam that is expected to develop into Typhoon No. 25, Dujuan, just ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Tropical Depression No. 53 was moving through waters east of Guam as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, with a central pressure of 1,000 hectopascals and maximum wind speeds of 15.2 meters per second.

The KMA expects the system to develop into Typhoon Dujuan within 24 hours.

Once it forms, the storm is forecast to intensify rapidly. The KMA projected maximum wind speeds would reach 21.2 meters per second with a central pressure of 994 hPa by 9 a.m. Thursday, strengthening further to 24.7 meters per second and 980 hPa by 9 a.m. Friday.

By 9 a.m. Saturday, the storm is forecast to reach intensity level 3, with a central pressure of 970 hPa and maximum winds of 26.5 meters per second. It is expected to continue strengthening to 28.9 meters per second by 9 a.m. Sunday and 33.5 meters per second by 9 a.m. Monday.

Dujuan is expected to pass through waters near Guam before tracking northwest and then shifting toward the seas south of Japan. Its projected position as of 9 a.m. Saturday is 26.5 degrees north latitude and 141.3 degrees east longitude, moving to around 33.5 degrees north and 140.0 degrees east by 9 a.m. Monday.

Based on the KMA's current projected track, Dujuan appears likely to bypass the Korean Peninsula. However, typhoon paths can shift under the influence of surrounding pressure systems and upper-level air currents, so how the storm develops remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, large daily temperature swings are expected to continue across South Korea for now, regardless of the typhoon's northward movement.

The KMA forecast temperature differences of around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius between daytime highs and nighttime lows across most of the country through Thursday. Skies will be mostly clear nationwide Wednesday, turning cloudier Thursday. Rain is forecast in parts of the Gangwon Province coast and mountain areas, the South Gyeongsang coast and Jeju Island on Friday.


betterj@heraldcorp.com