China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a yellow typhoon warning early this morning as Typhoon Fengshen, the 24th named tropical cyclone of the year, strengthened to typhoon status overnight on October 21.
As of 5:00 a.m. on October 22, the typhoon's center was located over the central-western South China Sea, approximately 145 kilometers northwest of Yongxing Island in Sansha City, Hainan Province. It was positioned at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 111.1°E.
According to meteorological data, Typhoon Fengshen is currently packing maximum sustained winds of Level 12 (33 meters per second) near its center, with a minimum central pressure of 975 hPa. The storm's wind field spans a Level 7 wind radius of 220–400 km, and a Level 10 wind radius of 80–140 km.
The typhoon is forecast to move in a southwesterly direction at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. It will maintain its current intensity through the morning of October 22 before gradually weakening. According to the NMC, Typhoon Fengshen is expected to make landfall along the central coast of Vietnam on October 23, likely at tropical storm strength with wind speeds of 18–23 m/s (Level 8–9). The system is expected to rapidly weaken after landfall.
From 8:00 a.m. on October 22 to 8:00 a.m. on October 23, strong winds will affect a wide swath of maritime and coastal regions due to the combined impact of Typhoon Fengshen and a cold air mass.
Affected areas will include:
- Taiwan Strait, waters east of Taiwan, Bashi Channel, and the western, northeastern, and central-eastern South China Sea
- Dongsha Islands, Xisha Islands, Beibu Gulf, Qiongzhou Strait, East China Sea, Yellow Sea, Bohai Sea, and associated straits
- Coastal areas of Shandong Peninsula, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Yangtze River Estuary, Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan Island
Wind levels in these areas are expected to reach Level 6–8, with gusts of Level 9–10. Wind speeds in some areas, including the southwestern East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Bashi Channel, southern Zhejiang coast, Fujian coast, and the northwestern and central-western South China Sea, may reach Level 9–12, with gusts up to Level 13–14.
Heavy to torrential rainfall is forecast for:
- Hainan Island
- Northern Taiwan
- Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong Province
From 8:00 a.m. on October 22 to 8:00 a.m. on October 23, southeastern parts of Hainan Island and northern Taiwan will experience severe downpours, with localized areas expecting extremely heavy rainfalls of 250–260 millimeters.
Authorities advise residents in affected areas to:
- Stay updated with the latest forecasts
- Avoid coastal and marine activities
- Prepare for possible flooding and wind damage
- Follow local emergency and evacuation instructions
Meteorological agencies will continue to monitor Typhoon Fengshen's movement and issue updates accordingly.
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