Typhoon Melor

[Jim Edds]

I'm all set up here on the tiny Island of Saipan waiting for Typhoon Melor. Latest JTWC tradck forecasts 135 knots at the CPA just north of Saipan.

You wouldn't know a storm was coming by the reaction of the locals. Saipan 35 years ago was pretty much deserted when I visited. Now they have a population of 65,000 from the Philippines, Guam, Chuuk, China, Korea, you name it.

The northern end of the island is called Banzai Cliff. Huge waves will be generated by Melor tomorrow afternoon. I plan to go up there to see just how big.

 

[Tim Lumb]

Good luck, just be careful.

And Banzai cliffs look very good.

 

[Jason Foster]

Jim...saw the piece you did for Jeff G. (weatherzine.net) that was pretty cool. The interviews were funny...very relunctant/modest people over there huh.

Anyhow...stay safe, get the shots, and be sure to share them when your back. Oh, and good luck...even though I know you're good enough not to need it.

 

[Jim Edds]

Thanks Jason. Looks like Melor is tracking a tad further to our north. I've had the time of my life Island Hopping across the Pacific after this one.

Right now it's 8:36am -solid overcast and the wind is picking up. The show will start this afternoon around 3pm! Most of the motels are fortresses here with backup generators - hey this is typhoon alley after all. I'll try and get some video up later tonight. Back to my pancakes.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day Jim,

Wish I could join you ... Good luck!!

 

[Josh Morgerman]

Hey Jim! Sorry you won't get in the core of this one-- but, hey, I'm sure the W-Pac gravy train will continue to produce Grade-AAA cyclones for the next couple of months. It's hard not to get a bit jealous of you, being stationed over there and all.

P.S. As I mentioned in my eMail, you're giving me ideas about next year.

 

[Jim Edds]

didn't get the core but I got some great wave action. Yesterday the waves were . . . well, take a look at the picture of the Banzai Cliffs I posted first. Now compare with these . . .

Now you see them . . .

and now you don't . . .

Video is up now: http://extremestorms.com