Real-time coverage of severeStorms event — Tropical Storm Higos — Pandita Data.
⛈️ OPEN LIVE 3D WEATHER ALERTSTropical Storm Higos is tracking westward across the Western Pacific at 25°N, 133.6°E as of June 26, 2026, with sustained winds near 45 knots and rapid intensification potential over warm waters. The system poses significant threats to island nations and coastal regions in its path, including damaging winds, torrential rainfall exceeding 200mm in 24 hours, and dangerous storm surge along exposed coastlines.
Higos formed over anomalously warm sea surface temperatures (SST 28–29°C) in the subtropical Western Pacific, an environment conducive to cyclogenesis. Residents across vulnerable island territories face immediate evacuation orders; maritime traffic has been diverted, and emergency services are pre-positioning resources ahead of landfall.
Tropical cyclones require three core ingredients: warm ocean water (≥26.5°C), low wind shear, and sufficient atmospheric moisture. Higos developed in a region where all three converge—warm Kuroshio Current waters fuel latent heat release in towering cumulonimbus clouds, while a weak upper-level ridge allows organized rotation to persist. The Coriolis effect (strong at 25°N) tilts the wind shear and sustains the vortex structure.
As Higos moves westward under steering currents, it will encounter cooler waters near 24°C—a threshold that typically weakens tropical systems. However, if it tracks into the Okinawa region first, warmer mesoscale eddies could briefly re-intensify it, extending threat windows for communities in Japan and Ryukyu Islands.
Real-time satellite imagery from NOAA GOES-West and Himawari-8 captures Higos's cloud structure, center position, and convective intensity every 10 minutes. Microwave sensors (AMSR2, SSMIS) penetrate clouds to measure rain rates and warm-core signature, while JTWC (Joint Typhoon Warning Center) fuses all data into track and intensity forecasts updated every 6 hours.
Western Pacific basin averages 16 tropical cyclones annually. Wind damage scales with the cube of wind speed—a 65-knot storm inflicts 8× more structural damage than a 45-knot storm. Storm surge can exceed 3–4 meters on exposed coasts during landfall.
Track Higos in 3D with Pandita Data's real-time weather simulation, updated hourly with JTWC and NOAA data. Visualize track uncertainty, rainfall potential, and wind field evolution to make informed evacuation and preparation decisions.
FAQ::[ {"q":"What is causing Tropical Storm Higos to form and intensify?","a":"Warm Western Pacific waters (28–29°C), low wind shear, and high moisture over the subtropical zone create ideal conditions for tropical cyclogenesis."}, {"q":"What are the greatest hazards from Higos?","a":"Damaging winds >45 knots, torrential rain (200+ mm/24h), storm surge 2–4 meters on coasts, and flash flooding in low-lying islands and coastal plains."}, {"q":"What precautions should people in affected areas take immediately?","a":"Evacuate coastal flood zones now, secure loose outdoor objects, stock fresh water and food, close shutters, and monitor JTWC forecasts every