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Typhoon Season Breaks Records: Typhoon No. 22 Forms in Japan

sea waves crashing on shore during daytime
Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash

A new typhoon named Atau has formed in the western Pacific. It is the 22nd typhoon of the year.

This is the ninth typhoon to form this month, according to the Japan Weather Association. This is the fastest pace in eight years and the second-fastest on record.

At the same time, another storm system is developing nearby, creating what is called a double typhoon situation. There are also two tropical storm seeds forming in the region, sometimes called 'double typhoon eggs.'

A tropical storm seed is an early-stage weather system. It can develop into a tropical depression and later strengthen into a full typhoon if conditions allow.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is monitoring the situation closely and issuing updates on the storm's expected path. Weather agencies have also released a rain and wind simulation to help people prepare.

Weekly forecasts for cities across Japan are being updated as the storm situation develops. Residents are advised to follow official typhoon information for the latest updates on wind and rainfall risks in their area.

Vocabulary7 words

typhoon
a very powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain
double typhoon
when two typhoons exist near each other at the same time
tropical storm seed
an early weather system that might grow into a storm
tropical depression
a weak, developing storm system
path
the direction a storm is expected to travel
simulation
a model showing how something might happen
Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan's official government weather organization

Quiz

1. What number typhoon is Atau this year?
2. How long has it been since this many typhoons formed in one month?
3. What are 'tropical storm seeds' also informally called in the summary?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

A new typhoon named Atau has formed in the _____ Pacific. It is the 22nd typhoon of the year.

This is the _____ typhoon to form this month, according to the Japan Weather Association.

This is the fastest pace in _____ years and the second-fastest on record.

At the same time, another storm system is developing nearby, creating what is called a _____ situation.

There are also two _____ forming in the region, sometimes called 'double typhoon eggs.'

A tropical storm seed can develop into a _____ and later strengthen into a full typhoon.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is monitoring the situation closely and issuing updates on the storm's expected _____.

Weather agencies have also released a rain and wind _____ to help people prepare.

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think several typhoons can form in a short period of time?
  2. How do weather agencies help people prepare for storms like this?
  3. Have you ever experienced a typhoon or major storm? What was it like?
  4. Why might it be useful to track more than one storm system at once?

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