Typhoon Phanfone could bring Sunday’s Japan GP forward

Rain in Suzuka, as usual. And the clouds are only getting darker. Every year there’s the threat of a typhoon at this GP, but this year the threat appears to be imminent. Phanfone, a category four storm, is currently away to the south, but meteorological experts specialising in this type of weather phenomenon have been brought in to Suzuka to monitor the risk to the running the race.

There is a 98% probability of rain on Sunday, and if the typhoon hits the estimations are for more than 60 litres of rain per square metre, along with potential winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. In those conditions it would clearly be nearly impossible to run the race. However there is the possibility of moving it to the Saturday and the teams have been informed of this possibility. All eyes are now on Phanfone and its path north.

Chief F1 meteorologist Steffan Dietz was hopeful however: ““There are still big uncertainties for the storm track in the coming days. The current forecast track for typhoon Phanfone keeps the eye of the storm to the south-east of Japan on Sunday but with associated rain bands extending north towards Suzuka during the morning. Once it starts the rain is likely to be prolonged and become increasingly heavy. Winds will be mostly light initially but freshen as the days goes on. At this time, nothing too severe is expected before Monday.”

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