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Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the southern shores of China on Sunday afternoon, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people, bringing torrential rain and destructive gusts, especially between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were suspended and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

The typhoon, this year's 21st cyclone of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and poured over 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also experienced significant rain amounts.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disruptions in the city, where commercial activities, transportation systems and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, it is projected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could face significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the threat of flooding and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional intense rain is likely.

Global Weather Events

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

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with continuous gusts of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when wind speeds peaked at 75mph.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is forecast on Monday, amounting to a considerable volume in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the first post-monsoon storm system of the year in the Arabian Sea, causing an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and weakened, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in coastal districts including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.