TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan’s weather agency confirmed the formation of a typhoon early Saturday, the year’s 31st, with the figure matching a previous year for the ninth-highest number of typhoons since record keeping began in 1951.
Typhoon In-fa was located near the Marshall Islands in the Pacific and moving slowly to the southeast at 3 a.m. Japan time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Champi, the year’s 30th, was near a group of islands in southern Japan early Saturday, the agency said, warning against strong winds and high waves in Okinawa Prefecture.
The typhoon was staying mostly west-northwest of Yonaguni Island at 4 a.m., with atmospheric pressure of 955 hectopascals at its center and winds of up to 216 kilometers per hour.
It is forecast to move north slowly over the East China Sea before changing course to the east on Sunday. On Monday, it is projected to approach western Japan before being downgraded as it moves south of the main island of Shikoku.
