Super Typhoon Chanthu, which has been gaining strength for days, is expected to make landfall in Taiwan on Saturday, local time.

The storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, making it a dangerous Category 5, may wreak considerable damage as it sweeps from south to north through the densely populated island.

Only five prior storms on record have gone from a depression to a Category 5-equivalent in such a short time, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Meteorologists paid close watch to Super Typhoon Chanthu when it put on a stunning show of fast intensification in the middle of the week, with its maximum sustained winds increasing by 130 mph in only two days.

Because human-caused global warming from the combustion of fossil fuels is causing ocean and air temperatures to rise, rapid intensification is becoming more prevalent. For every one degree Celsius rise in temperature, the air can contain roughly 7% more moisture, which provides energy for storms.

The storm, which is presently churning north of the Philippines, is expected to move north-northwest on Friday and gradually weaken to a Category 4-equivalent before reaching landfall on Sept. 11 in southern Taiwan.

Extreme wind damage, heavy rainfall, and storm surge floods are all possible outcomes for the island. While typhoons are common in Taiwan, this one is pursuing an unusual south-to-north route, allowing it to spend more time over the region and perhaps cause more damage.