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Typhoon Matmo made landfall on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The severe weather forced the relocation of around 350,000 residents, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds, especially between Guangdong's Wuchuan and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Typhoon Statistics

Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 151km/h and poured over 50mm of rainfall in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.

Matmo prompted China's highest-level emergency warning, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled.

Future Projections

As Matmo advances inward towards the provincial area in the neighboring country, 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 experience 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the threat of inundation and landslides. The system is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on the weekend, first as a storm system. It prompted a weather alert for south-western regions from a coastal point to another location on Monday.

In the morning 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 wind speeds peaked at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is likely to generate dangerous waves and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Heavy rainfall is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with some areas at about 200mm. Other regions could receive 50-100mm.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season storm system of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, causing an alert from the national weather agency for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

The storm, which has moved south-westward and lost strength, is predicted to turn eastward into the Arabian Sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.