Typhoon Usagi made landfall in southern Japan early this morning Birmingham time with top winds of 95 mph, which is equivalent to a Category 1 on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale. The pressure was 973 millibars.
It has since been downgraded to a severe tropical storm by the Japan Meteorological Agency with top winds of 70 mph.
Flights were cancelled in and out of Kyushu.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued weather alerts for high winds, heavy rains and high waves for parts of Honshu, Shikoku, Okinawa and Kyushu.
The storm is expected to continue to weaken as it recurves over the Sea of Japan. It will cross northern sections of Japan, across northern Honshu or Hokkaido Friday night Birmingham time.
Satellite and tracking chart courtesy of the NRL Monterey Marine Meteorology Division wesbite.
