Typhoon Dolphin to Make Rare Open-Ocean Landfall in Zhejiang or Fujian
SingTao · 4 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Strong Typhoon Dolphin is forecast to make a rare open-ocean landfall on China's eastern coast between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, targeting the area from Zhejiang to northern Fujian . The storm has maintained maximum sustained winds of 14 levels (45 m/s) with a circulation diameter exceeding 1,000 kilometers, classifying it as a large-scale typhoon . Despite showing signs of weakening due to dry air intrusion and its late life cycle stage, the typhoon still poses significant threats of extreme rainfall and destructive winds .
Key Points
- Typhoon Dolphin is predicted to land between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning along the Zhejiang-Fujian northern coast, with maximum winds of 14 levels .
- The storm originated near the International Date Line and traveled long distances, making it a rare open-ocean typhoon strike on China according to chief forecaster Dong Lin .
- Dolphin underwent five eyewall replacement cycles in 10 days, causing multiple intensity fluctuations like a crab molting its shell .
- Zhejiang's Linhai city announced comprehensive "five suspensions" measures including school closures, work stoppages, production halts, transport suspension, and business shutdowns .
- Ningbo airport will suspend all flights from 11:30 PM Saturday through Sunday, with 87 meteorological disaster warnings issued across Zhejiang by 8:50 AM Saturday .
- Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and HK Express have waived rebooking and refund fees for Taipei and eastern mainland China routes on August 9-10 .
Why It Matters
This rare open-ocean typhoon landfall demonstrates how climate patterns are generating more intense and unpredictable storm systems that travel unprecedented distances before striking populated coastal regions . The massive scale of preventive measures across multiple provinces, including complete economic shutdowns in some areas, illustrates the growing economic and social disruption costs of major typhoon events in China's densely developed eastern seaboard .
This rare open-ocean typhoon landfall demonstrates how climate patterns are generating more intense and unpredictable storm systems that travel unprecedented distances before striking populated coastal regions . The massive scale of preventive measures across multiple provinces, including complete economic shutdowns in some areas, illustrates the growing economic and social disruption costs of major typhoon events in China's densely developed eastern seaboard .