Typhoon Hagibis creeps closer to Korea

Another typhoon may affect the Korean Peninsula. Courtesy of Korea Meteorological Agency

By Jung Min-ho

Typhoon Hagibis, which is rapidly gaining strength, may affect Korea next week ― just a week after Typhoon Mitag hit the country.

According to the Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA), as of 9 a.m. Monday, Hagibis was 550 kilometers east-northeast of Guam and moving west-northwest at 27 kph.

It has a central pressure of 975 hectopascals, with a maximum wind speed of 37 meters per second and a wind radius of 350 kilometers.

Hagibis “is still developing fast and likely to become the most powerful typhoon of the year,” said KMA meteorologist Yoon Ki-han.

Hagibis is expected to pass across high-temperature ocean water before its maximum speed reaches 53 meters per second later this week.

It is premature to say Hagibis will directly affect the Korean Peninsula. Yoon said its path will become clear by Friday.