New Typhoon No. 22 (Atau) Forms Near Japan
Listen to the story
A new typhoon has formed near Japan, officials announced on August 27. It has been named Typhoon No. 22, or Atau.
Before becoming a typhoon, the storm existed as a tropical depression, sometimes called a 'typhoon egg' because it can grow into a full typhoon.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) released the first update about the storm at 4:15 p.m. on August 27. An earlier report about the developing tropical depression had already been issued that morning, at 10:15 a.m.
According to the JMA, the typhoon is expected to bring maximum instantaneous wind gusts of around 30 meters per second, along with a central atmospheric pressure of about 996 hPa. Lower pressure generally means a more powerful storm.
The agency has not yet confirmed the storm's exact future path. However, it is running simulations to forecast rain and wind conditions leading up to September 7.
These simulations will help predict whether, and how strongly, the typhoon might affect Japan in the coming days.
Residents in Japan are advised to keep checking official weather updates, as the storm's course and strength could still change.
Vocabulary7 words
- typhoon
- a very strong storm with heavy wind and rain
- tropical depression
- an early, weaker stage of a storm that may grow bigger
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Japan's official weather organization
- maximum instantaneous wind gusts
- the strongest short bursts of wind expected
- atmospheric pressure
- the force of air pushing on the ground; important for storm strength
- hPa
- a unit that measures air pressure
- simulations
- computer models that predict future weather
Quiz
Answer key
1. August 27 at 4:15 p.m. 2. A tropical depression 3. 996 hPa
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new _____ has formed near Japan, officials announced on August 27.
Before becoming a typhoon, the storm existed as a _____, sometimes called a 'typhoon egg'.
The _____ released the first update about the storm at 4:15 p.m. on August 27.
The typhoon is expected to bring maximum instantaneous _____ of around 30 meters per second.
The storm's central _____ is expected to be about 996 hPa.
The agency is running _____ to forecast rain and wind conditions until September 7.
Residents are advised to keep checking official weather _____ as the situation may change.