Typhoon Saudel Forms Near Guam, Forecast to Intensify to Super Typhoon by Weekend
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
Tropical Storm Saudel (沙德爾) officially formed on Monday, October 19, near Guam, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. The storm is expected to track northwestward toward the Ryukyu Islands while undergoing rapid intensification. China's Central Meteorological Administration forecasts Saudel will strengthen from a tropical storm to a super typhoon within just four days, reaching maximum sustained winds of 236 kilometers per hour by Sunday, October 23.
Key Points
- Tropical Storm Saudel formed at 2pm Hong Kong time on October 19, located near Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour
- The Hong Kong Observatory's probability forecast shows the storm tracking northwest toward the Ryukyu Islands, with equal chance of later moving northeast toward mainland Japan, northwest toward East China, or southwest into the northern South China Sea
- China's Central Meteorological Administration predicts Saudel will complete a "five-level jump" from tropical storm to super typhoon by Saturday, October 22
- The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts Saudel will become a super typhoon on Monday, October 23, with a storm radius of 400 kilometers and gale warning zone extending 530 kilometers
- The China Central Meteorological Administration states Saudel poses no impact on Chinese waters in the next five days
Why It Matters
The storm's projected path toward the Ryukyu Islands places popular travel destinations including Okinawa and potential subsequent impacts to Japan's main islands within the forecast cone. Hong Kong travelers planning trips to Japan or Taiwan over the coming week should closely monitor Saudel's development as weather patterns may shift the storm's trajectory closer to these destinations.
The storm's projected path toward the Ryukyu Islands places popular travel destinations including Okinawa and potential subsequent impacts to Japan's main islands within the forecast cone. Hong Kong travelers planning trips to Japan or Taiwan over the coming week should closely monitor Saudel's development as weather patterns may shift the storm's trajectory closer to these destinations.