Carmen underwent rapid intensification into a super typhoon in the vicinity of Agrihan on October 6, as its center passed above the island of Pagan, where powerful winds of 150 knots (280 km/h; 170 mph) from the storm were recorded.

[1] An eye measuring 16 kilometres (10 mi) in diameter was detected by weather radar the same day,[1] before Carmen then steered into a northward direction.

[2] On October 6, its eye passed above Pagan in the Mariana Islands, where maximum sustained winds were measured at 150 knots (280 km/h; 170 mph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.

[2] Carmen's atmospheric pressure in the center was dropped to its lowest 914 hPa (26.99 inHg) at 18:00 UTC, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

[1] Throughout its course, Carmen maintained its peak wind strength until October 9, when cold air began invading the circulation of the storm, while passing about 800 kilometres (500 mi) east of Tokyo.

[1] The storm rapidly shifted northeastward, accelerating 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph); during this movement, Carmen's started possessing characteristics of an extratropical cyclone.

[2] After the effects, a rehabilitation task force was initiated on Pagan to supply aid, with rebuilding the airstrip being one of its top priorities.