Typhoon Saudel Reforms Over South China Sea, Threatens Eastern and Southern China
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Typhoon Saudel has re-formed over the South China Sea in what meteorologists describe as an unprecedented path, after initially making landfall in Zhejiang province on Friday. As of 1pm Tuesday, the storm was located approximately 345 kilometres south of Shanwei in southeastern Guangdong province . China's National Meteorological Centre had declassified the storm on Sunday after it weakened following its eastern China landfall, but the system regenerated early Tuesday when a tropical depression strengthened again into a typhoon over the northwestern South China Sea . The centre has confirmed it will continue using the storm's original name, Saudel, and its assigned number 2618 . Multiple airports across eastern and southern China, including Hong Kong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Zhuhai Jinwan, Xiamen Gaoqi, Fuzhou Changle, Wenzhou Longwan and Ningbo Lishe, could be affected by the storm . While no large-scale flight cancellations have been announced as of Tuesday, some travellers took to social media to express concern and confusion over whether their flight plans would be disrupted .
Key Points
- The storm made landfall in Zhejiang on Friday as the third typhoon to strike the eastern province this year, before weakening and being declassified by China's National Meteorological Centre on Sunday
- Xu Yinglong, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre, explained that moving from land to warm waters reduced friction while providing the system with a fresh energy source
- Xin Xin, a weather analyst with China Weather TV, noted that Typhoons Hagibis in 2014 and Co-May in 2025 were among previous instances of similar revived typhoons
- At 1pm Tuesday, Saudel was positioned about 345 kilometres south of Shanwei, a coastal city in southeastern Guangdong province
- Parts of eastern and southern China are bracing for heavy to torrential rain over the next three days, with authorities warning of floods, landslides and mudslides
Why It Matters
The revival of Typhoon Saudel highlights the complex and unpredictable nature of tropical weather systems in the South China Sea region, where warm waters can sometimes provide sufficient energy to regenerate weakened storms. For Hong Kong, the potential impact on the city's international airport adds urgency for travellers planning trips during what appears to be an active typhoon season. The event underscores the importance of continued monitoring even after storms are officially declassified, as remnant systems can rapidly regain strength under favourable conditions.
The revival of Typhoon Saudel highlights the complex and unpredictable nature of tropical weather systems in the South China Sea region, where warm waters can sometimes provide sufficient energy to regenerate weakened storms. For Hong Kong, the potential impact on the city's international airport adds urgency for travellers planning trips during what appears to be an active typhoon season. The event underscores the importance of continued monitoring even after storms are officially declassified, as remnant systems can rapidly regain strength under favourable conditions.