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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and air travel disrupted at Haikou Meilan airport.

Storm Details

The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. Urban areas of the region also received significant rain amounts.

The storm prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were shut. In Hong Kong, 100 flights were impacted and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As the typhoon moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is projected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on the following day, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, first as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.

In the morning of the next day, the hurricane was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It strengthened into a hurricane in the evening, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, a cyclone named Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.