Dr. Tashiana Osborne

Typhoon Soulik is experiencing what meteorologists call an eyewall replacement cycle.  Major hurricanes commonly undergo this transformation when winds exceed 100 knots (115 mph/185 kph).  An outer eyewall can develop as the eye becomes smaller in size and surrounding thunderstorms intensify.  Soulik has weakened due to the outer wall overtaking the inner wall and closing the eye.  If the eye closes completely, the storm has a chance of strengthening once again.  This westward moving system, with winds of 95 knots (109 mph/175 kph) and higher gusts, remains a major threat to nearby regions.  It is expected to hit the southern end of Ishigaki-jima Island tomorrow morning (July 12, 2013), northern Taiwan later tomorrow, and China on Saturday (July 13, 2013).