Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms in history, has just made landfall in the Phillipines and will continue on over the South China Sea to Vietnam. From there..... Weather photo from MTSAT, Japan Meteorological Agency
By Terry Fredrickson
We have been focused on Thailand's political troubles, but at the same time Mother Nature has been working overtime to build one of the strongest storms ever recorded – and Thailand may feel its effects.
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Super Typhoon Haiyan
This time of year, prevailing winds should prevent the storm from crossing Thailand, but border areas could see significant rainfall. Graphic from severe weather section of wunderground.com
We have been focused on Thailand's political troubles, but at the same time Mother Nature has been working overtime to build one of the strongest storms ever recorded – and Thailand may feel its effects.
Super Typhoon Haiyan has made landfall in the Philippines in the eastern province of Samar in the Visayas region which is already reeling from a devastating earthquake last month.
The US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii shortly before landfall said Typhoon Haiyan’s maximum sustained winds were 314 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 379 kilometers per hour, faster than an F1 racing car.
While they will certainly weaken somewhat over land, few buildings are capable of withstanding such a force, says Jeff Masters, the chief meteorologist of Weather Underground.
The brunt of the fast-moving storm is expected to stay south of Manila and race into the South China Sea towards northern Vietnam. As is typically the case, it should then move into Laos, dumping large amounts of rain along the way.
Fortunately, this time of year, winds from the north should keep the storm from crossing Thailand, but it cause significant rain in areas bordering Laos and possibly, the Preah Viharn area, just in time for the International Court of Justice's decision on who this area of land belongs to.
Adapted from agency stories
Vocabulary
bordering: very near, next to, or touching - ติดกัน
brunt: the main force of something unpleasant ส่วนหนักที่สุดที่ได้รับหรือกระทบ, ผลกระทบที่รุนแรง - ส่วนหนักที่สุดที่ได้รับหรือกระทบ, ผลกระทบที่รุนแรง
capable: able to do something; very good at a job - มีความสามารถ
devastating: damaging badly or destroying - ทำลายล้าง
earthquake: a sudden shaking movement of the ground - แผ่นดินไหว
focus: to give attention, effort, etc. to one particular subject, situation or person rather than another - เพ่งความสนใจ
fortunately: used for emphasizing that something good has happened, especially because of good luck - อย่างโชคดี, อย่างเคราะห์ดี
gust: a sudden strong increase in the amount and speed of wind that is blowing - ลมพัดแรงทันที
joint: done together; belonging to or shared between two or more people - ที่ร่วมกัน, ความร่วมมือกัน
landfall: the place where a storm coming from the sea first hits land - การเข้าหาแผ่นดิน
maximum: the most possible - ที่สูงสุด ที่มากที่สุด
meteorologist: a scientist who studies the weather and makes predictions - นักอุตุนิยมวิทยา
prevail: to be the strongest influence or element in a situation - เป็นจริง, มีอำนาจเหนือกว่า
record: to make a written account of something that is kept so that it can be looked at and used in the future - บันทึก, รายงาน
reel: to feel very shocked, upset or confused - ตกตะลึง
severe: very serious and worrying - ที่รุนแรง ที่น่าเป็นห่วง
significant: important - สำคัญ
sustained: continuing at the same level - ต่อเนื่อง
typhoon: a tropical storm with strong winds that move in circles - พายุไต้ฝุ่น
typically: usually; normally - อย่างเป็นแบบฉบับ
warning: an action or statement telling someone of a possible problem or danger - การเตือน
withstand: to be strong enough not to be hurt or damaged by extreme conditions, the use of force, etc. - ทนต่อ, ต้านทานต่อ
