🌊 Brace yourselves, amigos! Typhoon Tapah, the 16th storm of the year, has strengthened from a tropical depression and is now barreling toward the Chinese mainland.
At 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, the National Meteorological Center issued a yellow typhoon alert along with a blue heavy rain warning as Tapah picks up speed and power. Over the next 72 hours, many areas in southern China should prepare for strong winds and downpours.
As of 9:00 a.m. Sunday, the center of Tapah was about 435 km southeast of Yangjiang City in Guangdong Province (18.7°N, 114.4°E). Winds near the eye hit Force 9 – around 23 m/s – and the storm's central pressure dropped to 990 hPa.
The forecast shows Tapah moving northwest at 10-15 km/h, gaining strength as it heads toward the coast. Landfall is expected between midnight and noon on September 8, somewhere between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang, with winds of 28-33 m/s (strong tropical storm to typhoon level). It should weaken after making landfall.
From 2 p.m. on September 7 until 2 p.m. on September 8, southern China can expect:
- 🌬️ Winds at Force 9-10, gusts up to Force 13-14
- 🌧️ Heavy to torrential rain: 100-230 mm in Guangdong and Guangxi
- ⛈️ Additional heavy showers in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Chongqing and Shaanxi (20-50 mm per hour, possibly over 70 mm)
Whether you live here, are traveling, or just keeping an eye on Asia's weather patterns, make sure to follow local updates, secure any outdoor items, and stay indoors during peak winds. Stay safe, stay informed! 🚨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
