Super Typhoon Hagibis remains on target to potentially disrupt the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in Japan. The western Pacific Ocean storm is forecast to weaken before it gets to Suzuka but is currently packing 150 mph winds.
As of Wednesday, Super Typhoon Hagibis was 1,000 miles south of Tokyo but was still maintaining a Category 5 strength level. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, tropical storm-force winds extend up to 350 miles from the center of Hagibis while typhoon-force (at least 74 mph) winds extend up to 115 miles from the center.
Super Typhoon Hagibis is currently moving north-northwestward but it is expected to change course tomorrow – putting it on a collision course with Suzuka – located on Japan’s largest main island, Honshu.
If that happens, free practice sessions and qualifying will be affected as will, potentially, the race itself.
If Super Typhoon Hagibis follows its currently forecasted path, Suzuka will likely bear the brunt of the tropical storm-force winds and potentially the typhoon-force winds, if Hagibis veers directly toward Suzuka on Saturday.
Additionally, if Hagibis makes landfall over southern Honshu, storm surges from the Pacific Ocean would be felt in any coastal areas along the typhoon’s path.
Heavy rain brought by Super Typhoon Hagibis is also expected to trigger flash flooding in urban areas and higher elevations.