A powerful typhoon is coming

A powerful typhoon is going to pass over the Kanto area later today, so please be very careful.

'Typhoon' is 台風   たいふう  taifuu in Japanese.

Sometimes suddenly there is very heavy rain and strong wind, but sometimes the sky becomes very calm. Please don't think the typhoon has passed! As a typhoon comes, it is very common that the weather changes from calm to very bad suddenly. And it will also be calm as the 'eye' of the typhoon passes.

Screen shot of the official website.

Right now the air pressure of the typhoon is 950hPa. That means it is a strong typhoon. You can check the details on the official website of the Japan Meteorological Agency (called 気象庁　きしょうちょう　kishouchou, in Japanese.) On their website please look for 'Tropical Cyclone Information'.



Here are some ideas to be safe in a typhoon:
- If you can, please stay at home.
- Many schools will cancel classes all day or the students will go home early. If you have children, please check what the teacher/school says.
- If you must go out, please wear non-slip shoes. The sidewalks in Tsukuba have many leaves and they become slippery.
- It is better not to ride a bicycle because the wind and rain will suddenly become strong and it is dangerous.
- Driving is also dangerous because the rain becomes so heavy you can't see the car in front of you.
- If your house or apartment has storm shutters on the window, please close them.
- Please pick up tools, toys, etc from your garden or balcony and put them away.
- Keep some bottles of water in your house for emergencies, and also some easy to eat food.
- Always keep a flashlight and extra batteries at home!!!
- NEVER go to check any streams, rivers, lakes or the sea. Many people die every year in Japan because they "went to look at the water".
- Usually the Tsukuba Express Train is okay even in bad weather, but many trains will be cancelled. If you go to Tokyo before a typhoon, there is a chance you cannot come home that day.
- If you have any questions, or you are worried, please try to ask some Japanese friends or neighbors :)

Today's typhoon will be near Tsukuba this evening, so please be careful and stay safe.