Massive Super Typhoon Maysak's unbelievable size seen from space

Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 11:11 AM - Super Typhoon Maysak was sprawling over the North Pacific Tuesday, a monster storm dominating the view from space.

ESA Astronaut Sam Cristoforetti had a spaceman's eye view of it as the International Space Station passed over it, and you really need to see it from up there to get a sense of how unbelievably huge it is.

The Category 5-equivalent storm is the third to reach that status this year so far, which Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground says is a record for this many such storms this early.

Its maximum sustained winds were at around 260 km/h, gusting higher, on Tuesday as it lashed parts of the archipelago nation of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Those are down to around 160 km/h by early Wednesday, and casualty reports from some local media suggest as many as five people have been killed.

It's expected to weaken as the week wears on, but its ultimate target has forecasters keeping a close eye on it: It's set to reach the Philippines by Sunday.

The country is a regular target for typhoons, some of which have had a catastrophic impact. In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan lashed the central Philippines, and was ultimately blamed for almost 7,000 deaths.

Maysak, meanwhile, will weaken to Category 3 by Saturday, but will likely still be Category 1 by Sunday.

SOURCES: Weather Underground | Mashable | Associated Press

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