Powerful Super Typhoon Nida churns in the Pacific packing 175 mph winds

Super Typhoon Nida is churning in the open waters of the Pacific
near Guam.  The amazing storm is packing sustained winds of
175 mph that are gusting to over 200 mph.  (CIMSS)  More
amazing images in our slideshow below.

One of the most powerful tropical cyclones of the year is churning in the open waters of the Pacific and packing astounding winds gusting to 207 mph. Super Typhoon Nida has encountered ideal conditions allowing it to strengthen to a massive storm faster and stronger than forecast.

Satellite imagery (see slideshow below) shows a massive storm with a very well defined eye wall – so perfect that the ocean can be seen through the eye. Sustained winds of 175 mph gusting to over 200 mph which would make it the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Wave heights of 44 feet are being realized near the center of Nida.

Nida is currently 178 miles west-southwest of the United States territory of Guam according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Moving northwest at 15 mph, the storm is passing between Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and the island of Yap. The southwestern side of Guam and the northeastern side of Yap will experience heavy surf as the storm passes.

• Where is Nida headed?  Check out our slideshow below for the latest forecast track.

Further intensification is possible in the next 12 to 24 hours as Super Typhoon Nida encounters an even warmer pool of water. The JTWC said that the storm is not an immediate threat to any landmasses along its forecast path as it slowly turns toward the north. It is expected to pass southwest of the island of Iwo To (formerly known as Iwo Jima) on Monday.