Yagi intensifies into a super typhoon as it heads toward south China and Vietnam

Yagi intensified into a super typhoon on September 4, 2024, becoming the second-most powerful storm in 2024. The system has since weakened but it remains a very dangerous typhoon as it continues its track toward south China and Vietnam where landfall is expected on September 6 and 7, respectively.

After an impressive period of extremely rapid intensification, Yagi peaked at about 250 – 260 km/h (155 – 160 miles) around 21:00 UTC on September 4 but has since weakened while undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle (ERC).

At 09:00 UTC on September 5, Yagi had maximum sustained winds near 230 km/h (143 mph), according to the JTWC. It was located about 357 km (222 miles) SSE of Hong Kong and was moving WNW at 13 km/h (8 mph).

While environmental conditions remain favorable over the next 12 hours, some re-intensification is possible after the ERC is completed.

By 21:00 UTC on September 5, the system will track westward approaching Hainan Island, China, with a more pronounced weakening trend due to interaction with land.

By 09:00 UTC on September 6, rapid weakening will occur as the system tracks over southern China and northern Vietnam, with landfall expected around 09:00 UTC on September 7. As the system tracks into the rugged terrain of northern Vietnam, it will dissipate by 09:00 UTC on September 8.

Authorities in southern China’s Hainan and Guangdong provinces have ordered fishing boats back to shore and implemented additional safety measures ahead of Yagi’s arrival.

Hainan will suspend work and schooling starting Thursday, coinciding with the expected issuance of the highest-level emergency response. Transport, shipping, and tourism services will also be suspended by Friday.

According to local meteorological authorities, Yagi will make landfall along the coast from Qionghai in Hainan to Dianbai, Guangdong from the afternoon to the night of September 6, possibly as the most powerful storm to hit Hainan in a decade.

A total of 34 707 fishing boats in Hainan have sought shelter, and nearly 70 000 fishermen and all fish farm workers have been evacuated. Passenger shipping services in the Qiongzhou Strait will be halted from Wednesday midnight until Sunday.

In Guangdong, where the emergency response level has been raised, over 84 000 fishing boats have been recalled, and more than 10 000 fishing farm workers have been evacuated. Authorities have also deployed 61 rescue teams with nearly 2 000 personnel in preparation for potential storm-related disasters.

The main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai in Guangdong will be closed on Thursday evening until further notice.

A storm warning was issued in Vietnam today and the government mobilized more than 2 700 military personnel for storm response. A sailing ban is expected on Friday.

Vietnam’s mountainous provinces were ordered to prepare rescue vehicles.

While still a tropical storm, Yagi struck Luzon Island, Philippines on September 2, bringing heavy rainfall that left at least 13 people dead.

Tropical Storm “Yagi” (Enteng) strikes Philippines, floods and landslides claim 11 lives

References:

¹ Typhoon 12W (Yagi) – JTWC – Warning #16 Issued at 09:00 UTC on September 5, 2024

² Work suspended, fishing boats recalled as south China braces for Typhoon Yagi – China Daily – September 5, 2024

³ With super typhoon winds, Yagi whirls towards Southern China – Reuters – September 5, 2024