Tropical Storm Cimaron about to make landfall in southeastern China

Tropical Storm Cimaron (Isang) is about to make landfall over Shantou and Xiamen in the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian. According to Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the center of Tropical Storm Cimaron was located approximately 152 nm east-northeastward of Hong Kong. The system is moving northwestward at 14 knots. Maximum sustained winds are 35 knots with gusts up to 45 knots.

MODIS satellite image shows TS Cimaron early on July 18, 2013 (Credit: LANCE Rapid Response/MODIS/Worldview)

Cimaron is tracking northwestward along the southwest periphery of the low- to mid-level subtropical ridge and it is forecast to track poleward along the western periphery of the subtropical ridge. The system will dissipate after the next 24 hours due to frictional effects and increasing northerly vertical wind shear. 

TS Cimaron forecast track (Credit: JTWC)

About 100 to 150 mm of rain could be possible at coastal areas. Flash floods and landslides could be expected.

Radar image of Taiwan on July 18, 2013 (Credit: CWB)

TRMM precipitation radar shows rainfall at 11:32 UTC on July 18, 2013 (Credit: NASA/TRMM)

Tropical Depression 08W strengthened into a tropical storm and was renamed Cimaron by the morning of July 17, 2013. NASA’s Aqua satellite captured the storm is it passed between the northern Philippines and Taiwan.

Satellite Animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)

• West Pacific/South China Sea Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• West Pacific/South China Sea Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• West Pacific/South China Sea Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA)

Featured image: Terra MODIS satellite image acquired at 02:55 UTC on July 18, 2013 (Credit: LANCE Rapid Response/MODIS)