Recent observations from the Japan Meteorological Agency and Joint Typhoon Warning Center confirm Typhoon Koguma reached very strong intensity in mid-October 2026, with peak sustained winds of 115–120 knots (roughly 210–220 km/h) and central pressure near 945 hPa before rapid weakening began. This outcome aligns with model consensus on favorable sea-surface temperatures and low wind shear early in its lifecycle, followed by transition to an extratropical system over cooler waters north of 35°N and increasing vertical shear exceeding 30 knots. Trader consensus at 98.5% for very strong reflects these verified peak measurements on the JMA scale. A realistic challenge would require post-season reanalysis to downgrade the maximum intensity below the very strong threshold, though current satellite and reconnaissance data make that unlikely.