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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

Matmo triggered China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where commercial activities, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were affected and 30 cancelled.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 89km/h winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on Monday, raising the risk of inundation and landslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a storm watch for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to make landfall, Priscilla is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon cyclonic storm of the year in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has moved in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.