Radar Shows Typhoon Gaemi’s ‘Absolutely Ludicrous’ Behavior

Typhoon Gaemi’s behavior continues to baffle meteorologists as the storm neared Taiwan on Wednesday.

The typhoon approached Taiwan after worsening monsoonal rains in the Philippines and leaving at least 12 people dead in its wake, according to the Associated Press.

Gaemi has also worsened monsoon behavior in Taiwan before making landfall. According to Zoom Earth data, the typhoon has wind speeds of 125 miles per hour, equivalent to a major Category 3 hurricane.

A typhoon is classified as a severe tropical cyclone occurring in the Northwest Pacific. A hurricane is the term for the same type of storm in the Northeast Pacific and Northern Atlantic. Outside of these regions, the storms are called tropical cyclones.

However, Gaemi’s behavior before making landfall baffled meteorologists, as radar showed the storm actually turning away from the island during its approach.

“Absolutely ludicrous. Typhoon #Gaemi makes sharp unexpected turn south right before slamming #Taiwan coast, then loops around and is now headed for the 2nd attempted landfall,” WFLA Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“Friction from the large mountains deflected the storm by disrupting the circulation credit: @BMcNoldy.”

“Not only is #TyphoonGaemi’s mini-loop off the east coast of #Taiwan a meteorological case study, the mountains have only barely disrupted the cyclone’s symmetry and it still has a closed, intact, intense eyewall,” Senior Research Associate at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School Brian McNoldy posted.

Zoom Earth also shared a clip of the radar showing the storm veering away from Taiwan.

“The mountainous terrain of Taiwan is causing havoc with Typhoon #Gaemi’s trajectory,” Zoom Earth posted with radar footage. “Gaemi has taken a sharp turn south off the coast of Taiwan and appears to be temporarily looping back out into the Pacific. Latest radar:”

Newsweek reached out to Taiwan’s meteorological agency via online contact form for comment.

El Niño’s expected transition to La Niña and abnormally warm ocean surface temperatures have created concern among meteorologists that this year could be exceptionally strong for tropical systems.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November. In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a forecast predicting 17 to 25 named storms for an above-average hurricane season.

Of the 25, eight to 13 will be hurricanes, and four to seven will be major hurricanes. The forecast number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes is the highest NOAA has ever issued in a May outlook.

The same factors influencing hurricanes can also influence similar storms in other parts of the world.