A crash in heavy rain from Typhoon Phanfone has led to the early finish of the Japanese F1 race. However, Phanfone hasn't finished with southern Japan yet.
Sunday
Heavy rain from typhoon Phanone lead to awful conditions at Suzuku on Sunday with a crash ending the race early. The latest path from the Joint Typhoon Warning centre takes Phafone straight for Toyko early on Monday 6th, after skirting along the southern coast of Honshu island on Sunday. The storm will have weakened by then but even so this will still be a major event,causing chaos in the capital, if only to transportation. The Japanese Met. Agency is warning of high waves, flood, storm surge and ground loosening heavy rain. Flights are now being cancelled and schools being closed for Monday.
Saturday
Latest forecast path from the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre, update #22 for Super Typhoon Phanfone. 05/12Z is Sunday evening (local time). Suzuku is just above the 'o' in Kyoto on the map. Heavy rain
Friday
Typhoon Phanfone has reached wind strengths of 115knots out in the western Pacific, just over 130mph, equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane. Around Japan's Ise Bay on the south coast of Honshu, where Suzuka is situated, there are already High wave warnings on Friday night. Phanfone is forecast to stay as a 'very strong' typhoon through Saturday and Sunday (local time). The typhoon will move north then NE, although the forecast circle, for the possible position of the centre of the storm, covers a large part of Japan, especially the island of Honshu. On Sunday, race day, Phanfone is forecast to be near Kyushu, the SW island, so not near to Suzuku. Even so there will be strong winds and potentially very heavy rain reaching the F1 race.
However, for Kyushu, Phanfone could cause major problems and damage if it makes landfall at the forecast strength. During Monday, Phanfone's track could then move NE along the highly populated island of Honshu which includes Tokyo and Kyoto.
The main issue for the F1 circus will be getting packed up and out of Tokyo as Phanfone will undoubtedly force airport closures, as well as disruption to the local road network. The next race is at the Sochi Street circuit with first practice on Friday, so it's a tight schedule to get effectively the whole of Formula 1, cars, teams, drivers, mechanics etc shipped out and on the ground in time for the next event as it is.
Race wise, it currently looks like the leading bands of rain will arrive in the morning, and intensify through the day, which does give options for an earlier start time, and any changes will be announced at midday tomorrow (that's 4am here).
Pictures credit to Japan Meteorological Agency and MTSAT
Ian Michaelwaite / Jo Farrow
