Typhoon Matmo Slams Taiwan, China Next Target

 
Typhoon Matmo is bearing down on Taiwan with landfall to occur Tuesday night local time.
Matmo is approaching the east coast of Taiwan with maximum wind gusts over 160 kph (100 mph).
The heaviest rain thus far has fallen across Lanyu Township, just east of the main island of Taiwan. Rainfall of 250-300 mm (10-12 inches) has been reported. Also wind gusts over 100 mph have pelted the small island for several hours as the eye of the storm passed just to the northeast.
Heavy rain and strong winds will worsen across much of Taiwan through Wednesday morning as the storm crosses the island and then moves into the Formosa Strait (Taiwan Strait) during the day on Wednesday.
Since mountains cover much of the island, heavy rainfall will likely create dangerous and life-threatening mudslides, while flooding will be a major concern across all areas.



Rainfall will average 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) across much of Taiwan, with local amounts in excess of 300 mm (12 inches).
Coastal areas along the northeast and east of Taiwan will likely endure flooding as the strong winds push water inland.
This satellite image of Typhoon Matmo, courtesy of NOAA, was taken Tuesday night, local time.
After Matmo leaves Taiwan, a second landfall is likely on the China coast Wednesday afternoon or evening local time.
Areas from northern Fujian to Zhejiang will be at the greatest risk during this time. Rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) is expected along with locally damaging winds.

While Matmo will not make landfall in the Philippines, northern parts of the country will still feel some effects from the storm as it passes by to the northeast.
Heavy rain will target western parts of the Philippines as Matmo enhances a tropical southwesterly flow from the South China Sea leading to a threat for dangerous flooding in parts of Mimaropa, Visayas and Luzon.
Through Wednesday, highly populated areas, such as Manila, can get 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rain with isolated total in excess of 200 mm (8 inches) which will lead to the threat for flooding.
Rammasun brought damaging wind and flooding rainfall to this same area less than a week ago.

Matmo will also bring rain and wind to the southern Ryukyu Islands of Japan into Wednesday. However, impacts will be confined to the islands immediately east of Taiwan and will remain to the south and west of Okinawa which was impacted by Typhoon Neoguri early in July.

After pushing into eastern China, Matmo will be pulled northward by a trough, tracking west of Shanghai across the interior of China. This interaction with land will weaken the cyclone to a tropical storm by Thursday.
A northeast turn will eventually take Matmo into the Korean Peninsula later this week where heavy rain and flooding will be major concerns.
Impacts from Matmo will be well to the north of southern China and northern Vietnam, areas that were recently impacted by Rammasun just days ago.

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist   http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/typhoon-matmo-to-threaten-taiw-1/30703680

July 22, 2014; 7:59 AM