Japan Storm 2012: Strongest Squall Since 1959 Causes Travel Chaos, Kills 2
A storm packing typhoon-strength winds pummeled Japan on Tuesday, cancelling flights, paralyzing traffic, and causing at least two deaths.
The low pressure system in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) packed winds of 67 miles per hour with gusts over 90 miles per hour. Two people were killed in separate warehouse collapses in Toyama in the north and Kagawa in the south and public broadcaster NHK put the tally of those injured at 160.
The storm, said to be the most powerful to hit Japan since 1959, knocked out power for more than 10,000 households and businesses, forcing many stores and major companies like Sony, Canon, and Fujitsu to close early. The dramatic winds also halted commuter trains and grounded more than 600 flights in and around Tokyo.
Japan Airlines canceled 288 domestic and seven international fights affecting over 32,000 people. All Nippon Airways grounded 336 domestic flights affecting nearly 40,000 more. The disruption represented 35 and 40 percent of the airlines' daily services respectively.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/323526/20120403/japan-storm-2012-travel.htm
As strong as a typhoon, but not one:
The severe weather was whipped up by an abnormally strong storm centered over the Sea of Japan. The storm's trailing cold front, which dragged eastward over western and central Japan Tuesday, was a focus for high winds and torrential rain, forecasters said.
A JMA forecaster compared this storm to the core of a typhoon, but with a long duration of high winds in any given location, owing to its sheer size. "Winds as strong as this are very rare," the spokesman said.
The brunt of the storm will shift to northern Japan on Wednesday, forecasters said. Severe winds and high waves will target the region, as will heavy rain and the potential for flooding.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/japan-storm-likened-to-typhoon-1/63588