Storm’s Path & Development
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Origin & Classification: Nari began as a tropical disturbance near Iwo Jima around July 11, was classified as Tropical Storm 06W by July 12, and quickly intensified into a typhoon
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Track & Landfall: The storm traveled northward along eastern Japan and made landfall near Cape Erimo on Hokkaido at approximately 02:00 JST on July 15, before transforming into an extratropical cyclone over the Sea of Okhotsk by 09:00 JST.
Weather Impacts
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Wind Speeds: Sustained gusts over 80 km/h were common in Hokkaido, with peaks reaching 87.5 km/h in Kushiro, and coastal gusts topping 105 km/h
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Rainfall Totals:
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Hokkaido: ~120 mm
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Kanto–Koshin (e.g., Tokyo): up to 200 mm
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Tohoku: ~80 mm Sea States: Coastal waters swelled to 6 m (20 ft) near Hokkaido and 5 m (16 ft) in Tohoku
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Alerts & Disruptions
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Authorities issued evacuation advisories for flood- and landslide-prone zones. Fortunately, no fatalities or major injuries have been reported
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Transportation networks experienced disruption: bullet trains halted in affected regions, and marine warnings were issued due to rough seas .
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The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) cautioned of ongoing hazards, including landslides, flash floods, and strong gusts through Thursday, amplified by atmospheric instability from a coastal high-pressure system
Climate Context & Rarity
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Nari is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, unusual for its early July landfall and northern reach.
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Data shows a 30% increase in typhoon-related rainfall since the 1980s, linked to warmer sea-surface temperatures driven by climate change—prompting more intense, earlier, and farther-reaching storms .
Ongoing Risks & Measures
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Persistent Threat: With the cyclone now extratropical, strong winds, waves, and heavy rains will continue affecting Hokkaido and Tohoku into midweek
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Safety Precautions: Authorities are emphasizing caution during cleanup, reinforcing infrastructure and flood defenses, and urging residents to monitor updates from the JMA
Summary
Typhoon Nari’s impact on Hokkaido is historically significant—being the first typhoon to hit Japan’s north since 2016 and the first July strike on Hokkaido. Although damages have been moderate and no casualties reported, the event highlights shifting climate patterns with more frequent and severe early-season typhoons. It underscores the need for enhanced preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and early-warning systems—even in regions once considered outside typical typhoon zones.