Double Typhoons Bring Heavy Rainfall to Multiple Regions in China

Typhoon Zitan's Trajectory

Typhoon Zitan, designated as the 19th typhoon of the year and currently at tropical storm level, is a significant concern for China's southern coastal areas. Initially, it is projected to linger and swirl in the Beibu Gulf, indicating a period of unpredictable movement before it establishes a clearer path. From the evening of August 23rd, Zitan is expected to begin moving northeastward, then shifting north, at a relatively slow speed of 5 to 10 kilometers per hour. The forecast indicates a gradual strengthening of Zitan, potentially reaching the intensity of a strong tropical storm. Its anticipated trajectory will bring it closer to the coastal regions stretching from Guangxi to the western part of Guangdong's Leizhou Peninsula. This path suggests that these areas are at high risk of experiencing the typhoon's full force, including strong winds and substantial rainfall, which could lead to significant coastal impacts and inland flooding.

Jianlawei's Dissipation

In contrast to Zitan, Typhoon Jianlawei, the 20th typhoon of the year, presents a different scenario. As of 5 AM on August 23rd, its center was located in the southern East China Sea, approximately 115 kilometers northeast of Taipei City, Taiwan Province. Jianlawei is also moving at a slow pace, estimated at 5 to 10 kilometers per hour, but its direction is west-southwest. Crucially, Jianlawei is expected to gradually weaken as it progresses. The Central Meteorological Observatory predicts that it will dissipate in the Taiwan Strait by August 24th. While its direct impact on mainland China might be less severe due to its weakening trend, its presence contributes to the overall atmospheric instability and the strong southwest monsoon flow, indirectly influencing rainfall patterns in the region, particularly for Taiwan Island and coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian.

August 23rd to 25th Rainfall

The period from August 23rd to 25th is forecasted to be particularly challenging due to the combined influence of Typhoons Zitan and Jianlawei, along with the southwest monsoon. During these three days, several regions are expected to experience heavy to torrential rainfall, with some localized areas facing extreme torrential rain. These include the western part of Hainan Island, southern Guangxi, central-eastern and southern Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan Island, and eastern and southern Zhejiang. Beyond these primary typhoon-affected zones, other parts of China will also see significant precipitation. Southwestern Sichuan Basin, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Yunnan are anticipated to receive scattered heavy rainfall. Furthermore, from August 23rd to 24th, eastern Northwest China, central-eastern Inner Mongolia, North China, and Northeast China are expected to have showers or thunderstorms, with localized heavy to torrential rain, accompanied by severe convective weather such as short-term heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gales, or hail. This widespread precipitation pattern underscores the extensive nature of the weather system affecting China.