Tracking generally westward, development of the depression was initially slow; however, on October 11, favorable atmospheric conditions allowed for rapid intensification.

The depression strengthened to a tropical storm that day, receiving the name Wipha at the time, and reached typhoon status on October 12.

Now moving northwestward, Wipha grew into a very large system and ultimately attained its peak intensity on October 14 with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) and an atmospheric pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg).

Early on October 8, 2013, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that a tropical disturbance had developed within an area of low to moderate vertical wind shear, about 670 km (415 mi) to the east-southeast of Anderson Air Force Base on the island of Guam.

[citation needed] As it was slowly moving, Wipha entered an area of warm waters and low wind shear.

Early on October 15, Wipha rapidly enfeebled as the ocean waters surrounding the typhoon began to cool as it approached Japan with category 1 status.

Significant disruptions to transportation took place, with over 60,000 people having their flights canceled and train service in parts of the city was suspended.

Though the storm caused only limited damage on the mainland, it spawned a massive landslide on the island of Izu Ōshima, killing at least 31 and leaving 13 others missing.

Beta radiation levels skyrocketed to 400,000 becquerels in the wake of the storm, 6,500 times greater than prior to Wipha.

[17] The Tokyo Metropolitan government was criticized by the media for using a fax machine to relay the warnings despite vastly improved technology.