Watch | Typhoon Halong slams Japan with record winds, triggers emergency warnings; California braces for remnants

Typhoon Halong is causing major disruption and danger in Japan, with severe rain and powerful winds prompting warnings for flooding and landslides, especially on the Izu Islands (like Hachijō and Aogashima).

The storm reached the islands Thursday morning, moving at about $30\text{ km/h}$ with a central pressure of $950$ hectopascals.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the maximum sustained winds are near $162\text{ km/h}$, with gusts reaching $234\text{ km/h}$, and residents have been urged to evacuate.

Spectacular imagery of Typhoon Halong, churning to the south of Japan. pic.twitter.com/9YKAD4THmb

— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) October 8, 2025

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Forecasters in Japan issued a severe warning for the Izu island chain (south of Tokyo), predicting that heavy rain could dump as much as $300\text{ mm}$ of water over a single day. The area is also expected to face extremely high winds, with sustained speeds of approximately $180\text{ km/h}$ and gusts potentially over $250\text{ km/h}$.

Setting a new record for the area, Hachijo island was deluged with $207\text{ mm}$ of rain between $4\text{am}$ and $7\text{am}$ local time, according to the agency. Consequently, the severe conditions required hundreds of residents in the region to move into official evacuation centres.

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Strong winds are also forecast to hit islands in the chain, including Toshima, Niijima, Kozushima, Miyakejima, and Mikurajima, threatening widespread power outages and severe travel disruptions. Local officials have specifically warned about landslides and the rapid development of “linear rainbands,” narrow areas of extremely heavy rain that can quickly escalate flooding. Though Typhoon Halong is expected to curve east over the Pacific late Thursday—avoiding a direct hit on mainland Japan—it will leave severe weather across the Izu Islands.

To ensure safety, the Japan Coast Guard has instructed vessels to avoid the typhoon’s expected route. Consequently, all flights and ferries traveling to the islands have been suspended. Emergency teams are on standby, ready to address potential power outages and road blockages.

The remnants of Typhoon Halong are expected to merge with a Pacific weather system, causing an “atmospheric teleconnection” that will intensify the jet stream toward North America.

This surge of moisture and energy will first move toward Western Alaska this weekend, which is bracing for impact. The storm’s cold air will then drive down into the US West Coast, pushing a cold, subarctic air mass toward Washington, Oregon, and California.

For California, this is forecast to create a multi-day storm, bringing heavy rain to coastal and inland areas.

Specifically, the Bay Area could see its heaviest rainfall since last winter, while the Sierra Nevada mountains are expected to receive significant early-season snowfall.