Typhoon Saudel Heads for Landfall in Eastern China After Canceling Flights in Taiwan and Hong Kong
Typhoon Saudel is forecast to make landfall in coastal China between Thursday night and Friday morning after already disrupting flights and ferries in Taiwan, Hong Kong and eastern China, while a separate heat dome has kept all 21 typhoons formed this summer away from the Korean Peninsula.
Saudel Approaches China Landfall
Saudel entered the East China Sea early Wednesday and is forecast to make landfall between Thursday night and Friday morning along the coast from Xiangshan in eastern Zhejiang to Fuqing in southeast Fujian province. [5] The National Meteorological Centre has tracked the storm as it moves toward this coastal stretch after passing near Okinawa and Taiwan. [5] Saudel ranks as the season’s 18th typhoon and the strongest of three currently active systems in the region. [4]
Flight and Ferry Disruptions
Saudel prompted 16 flight cancellations at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, affecting carriers including Peach, China Airlines, EVA Air, Starlux and Thai Lion Air. [5] Hong Kong Airlines fully cancelled its HX658 and HX659 flights between Hong Kong and Japan’s Okinawa, while HK Express rescheduled its Okinawa-bound services to August 27. [5] Airports in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces remained on high alert for potential delays and cancellations as the storm approached. [5]
Emergency Measures in Zhejiang and Fujian
Zhejiang province raised its emergency response to Level 3, the third highest of four levels, and closed all coastal scenic areas while evacuating more than 4,100 tourists from island resorts. [5] Saudel marks the seventh typhoon to make landfall in China this year, following earlier storms such as Bavi that brought torrential rain and floods. [5] Previous systems including Dolphin prompted more than 1 million evacuations in Zhejiang and contributed to Shanghai’s first red rain warning in 13 years. [4]
Heat Dome Keeps Typhoons From Korea
A heat dome formed by the Tibetan high and North Pacific high has steered all 21 typhoons formed this summer toward Japan, China and Taiwan instead of the Korean Peninsula. [4] The number of typhoons formed so far this year stands at 21, about 80 percent of the long-term annual average of 25.1. [4] Sea surface temperatures in the main typhoon-forming region remain around 30 degrees Celsius, providing favorable conditions for more storms. [4]
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wyoming
Severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts prompted a warning for parts of Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming late Wednesday night MDT, with radar indicating the hazard and expected damage to roofs, siding and trees. [1] A separate warning covered northwestern Goshen County and northeastern Platte County until midnight MDT, citing 70 mph wind gusts reported by the public and hazardous travel for lightweight and high-profile vehicles. [3] One line of storms moved east at 40 mph from near Rawhide Buttes to 6 miles northwest of Veteran, while another advanced east at 25 mph from near Glendo State Park to near Lakeview North. [1][3]
Yellow Heat Warning in Cyprus
The met office issued a yellow weather warning for high temperatures in force for two and a half hours during the afternoon between 1.30pm and 4pm, with inland temperatures set to reach 40 degrees Celsius. [2] Temperatures in mountainous areas and on the coasts are expected to be somewhat cooler, reaching 32 degrees Celsius on the west coast, 34 degrees Celsius on the rest of the coasts, and 29 degrees Celsius in the mountains. [2]
What to watch next: The North Pacific high could weaken and shift later in the season, potentially opening a path for future typhoons to move farther north toward the Korean Peninsula.
