Typhoon Rammasun Weakens Off Japan

Typhoon Rammasun, spinning northward across the Pacific as a Category-4 storm. Close-Up view of Rammasun weakening off eastern Japan.

Former Tropical Storm Rammasun rapidly gained strength over the weekend, attaining typhoon status on May 10 as it moved northward between the Philippines and northern Micronesia.

Rammasun reached peak intensity as a Category-4 storm Sunday and Monday with maximum sustained winds of about 140 mph (220 km/h). But, the storm's fury remained far from any land areas, and it threatened only shipping lanes in the western Pacific.

Cooler ocean-surface temperatures and wind sheer from the middle-latitude westerly flow weakened the once- powerful storm just as rapidly as it had gained force three days earlier.

By Wednesday, Rammasun had lost its tropical characteristics to the east of Japan, and was being absorbed into the general atmospheric circulation across the North Pacific.

Rammasun means "god of thunder" in the Thai language and is one of several names submitted by nations of the western Pacific basin to be used during typhoon season.

Close-Up Satellite View of Typhoon Rammasun

Typhoon Rammasun: Track

Satellite Loop: University of Wisconsin
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