Updated 6:38am Saturday NZT — Super Typhoon Mangkhut has made landfall in the northern Philippines. The storm will track across the very northern portion of the island this morning with devastating wind and torrential flooding rains due to the immense size and power of this storm. The storm is so large it is being fed from air directly from the equator.

Winds were incredibly strong around landfall. Estimated 1 minute wind speeds, sustained, were estimated to be 230km/h gusting to 330km/h according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (US Government). Winds of this speed are catastrophic to trees and buildings in the path of the centre of the storm and extending out a couple of hundred kilometres from the centre. 

The Super Typhoon has the equal strength and power to a Category 5 strength shortly before landfall.

The Weather Company is reporting 12hr rainfall forecast to reach above 200-300mm in northern Luzon Island. The  highest rainfall accumulation forecast is expected to exceed 500mm (half a metre) in northern Luzon island until Sunday.

Violent winds are forecast in northern Luzon Island on Saturday.

More updates over the weekend as this typhoon tracks towards Hong Kong and China.

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6am Saturday NZT – Air pressure map – GFS (American model)

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6am Saturday NZT – Rain map – GFS (American model)

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 6am Saturday NZT – Rain Map – ECMWF (European model)

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6am Saturday NZT – Air Pressure Map – ECMWF (European model)

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BELOW: Winds maps for Friday evening NZT:

(Images above EarthNull.school.net)

– JTWC tracking (US Govt)

– WeatherWatch.co.nz