Typhoon Dolphin to Strike Zhejiang, May Set 65-Year Observatory Record
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Typhoon Dolphin, a tropical cyclone named by Hong Kong, is forecast to strike the coast of Zhejiang province on Sunday evening after traveling an exceptionally long path across the Pacific Ocean . The Hong Kong Observatory predicts this could establish a new record for the longest-traveling typhoon to make landfall in China since comprehensive record-keeping began in 1961 . The storm's approach will also trigger extreme heat conditions across South China through peripheral subsiding air currents .
Key Points
- Typhoon Dolphin reached super typhoon intensity before weakening to strong typhoon status as it moved westward .
- The storm formed east of 175°E longitude, an unusually distant origin point for typhoons affecting China .
- Dolphin's predicted path spans approximately 60 degrees of longitude, crossing the Ryukyu Islands before reaching Zhejiang to northern Fujian .
- The Observatory issued a weather blog on June 6 noting stable westward movement guided by easterly flows along the southern flank of the subtropical high pressure ridge .
- Peripheral subsiding air currents from Dolphin will cause extreme heat in Hong Kong, with New Territories areas reaching 36°C or above during the weekend .
Why It Matters
If Dolphin makes landfall as predicted, it will represent a historic meteorological event demonstrating the expanding reach of tropical cyclone threats to East Asia . The record-breaking trajectory also highlights how climate patterns may be enabling storms to maintain intensity across unprecedented distances, while Hong Kong faces compounding weather challenges from both the distant typhoon and a separate low-pressure system near Hainan Island .
If Dolphin makes landfall as predicted, it will represent a historic meteorological event demonstrating the expanding reach of tropical cyclone threats to East Asia . The record-breaking trajectory also highlights how climate patterns may be enabling storms to maintain intensity across unprecedented distances, while Hong Kong faces compounding weather challenges from both the distant typhoon and a separate low-pressure system near Hainan Island .