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Typhoon Matmo struck the coast on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Hainan's Wenchang. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st cyclone of the year, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of the region also received significant rain amounts.

The storm prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience 130-150mm on the following day, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further intense rain is likely.

Global Weather Events

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla developed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, first as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 305 miles from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It strengthened into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds reached at 75mph.

Though not expected to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and rip currents as it tracks north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 20 centimeters. Colima and western Jalisco could receive moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On Sunday, Shakhti was 130 miles southeast of a location in Oman with maximum sustained winds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Rough seas are likely to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is expected in coastal districts including specific Indian cities.