Computer model simulation showing the surface winds flowing in and around Super Typhoon Vongfong.

Image: Earth.nullschool.net

By Andrew Freedman2014-10-08 23:50:07 UTC

Super Typhoon Vongfong is currently roiling the Pacific Ocean, creating waves of 50 feet or higher, thanks to sustained winds of 165 miles per hour. The storm is on course to make landfall in Japan, with its impacts reaching the Ryukyu Islands as early as Saturday, followed by mainland Japan.

The Super Typhoon peaked in strength late on Tuesday, when it contained sustained winds of at least 180 miles per hour with gusts higher than 200 miles per hour. Satellite imagery and computer model simulations from Tuesday and Wednesday show the storm in stunning detail. Here are some of the most striking images.

The eye of Vongfong has fluctuated between about 19 and 30 miles wide. The storm has exhibited spirals of low clouds in the middle of the eye, where the air is sinking and warming, and the winds are comparatively calm.

These images were taken as the morning sun began to illuminate the storm on Tuesday afternoon, eastern time, and posted by the University of Wisconsin.

The storm still looks about as fierce on Wednesday.

This image, taken using the VIIRS infrared imager aboard NASA's Suomi NPP polar-orbiting satellite, depicts the storm at peak intensity. The red to gray hues around the eye represent extremely cold cloud tops that indicate towering thunderheads, likely extending up to 50,000 feet or more in height.

Read more here:

The 8 Best Views of Category 5 Super Typhoon Vongfong