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The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the provincial island of Hainan. The severe weather led to the evacuation of around 350,000 residents, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

The typhoon, this year's 21st typhoon of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and dumped more than 50mm of rainfall in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. Urban areas of Nanning also experienced high rainfall totals.

Matmo prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in Zhanjiang, where commercial activities, transportation systems and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression with 55mph winds but will persist to bring heavy rainfall. Vietnam's northern regions could experience 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is probable.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, first as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from a coastal point to Punta Mita on the start of the week.

In the early hours of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 105km/h. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the evening, when sustained winds peaked at 75mph.

Although unlikely to hit the coast, Priscilla is expected to generate hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on Monday, amounting to 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 20 centimeters. Other regions could receive moderate to heavy rain.

In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the a body of water, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, the cyclone was 130 miles south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 103km/h.

Shakhti, which has tracked south-westward and weakened, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.