Typhoon Saudel Forms as 18th Storm of Year, Hong Kong Observatory Issues Track Forecast
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Typhoon Saudel (Saudel) has formed as the 18th tropical cyclone of 2020, with the Hong Kong Observatory publishing its forecast track while a separate tropical depression over the South China Sea threatens southern China with torrential rainfall.
Key Points
- Typhoon Saudel formed on Wednesday morning (August 19) over the western Pacific Ocean, with its center located at latitude 8.2°N and longitude 153.9°E, approximately 1,160 kilometers southeast of Guam .
- The storm has maximum sustained winds of 18 meters per second (force 8 on the Beaufort scale), with a central pressure of 998 hectopascals and a 7-level wind radius spanning 100 to 200 kilometers .
- Saudel is moving northwest at 15 to 20 kilometers per hour while gradually intensifying, heading toward waters east of the Ryukyu Islands, with no expected impact on Chinese waters over the next five days .
- A tropical depression in the northern South China Sea, located 150 kilometers north of Dongfang City in Hainan Province, could intensify into a tropical storm and will bring 250 to 400 millimeters of rain to Guangdong, Guangxi, and western Hainan, with isolated areas receiving up to 450 millimeters .
- The Central Meteorological Observatory has issued a blue rainstorm warning for Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, urging precautions against flash floods and landslides .
- Saudel could strengthen to super typhoon intensity and may enter the East China Sea after Wednesday (August 26), potentially making landfall along the East China coast depending on the subtropical high's configuration .
Why It Matters
The simultaneous activity of multiple tropical systems off the Chinese coast poses compounding risks for coastal infrastructure and public safety. Hong Kong residents should stay informed through the Observatory's updates, as Saudel's eventual path remains contingent on atmospheric conditions that could change rapidly over the coming week .
The simultaneous activity of multiple tropical systems off the Chinese coast poses compounding risks for coastal infrastructure and public safety. Hong Kong residents should stay informed through the Observatory's updates, as Saudel's eventual path remains contingent on atmospheric conditions that could change rapidly over the coming week .