Tropical Storm "Bebinca" Heads Towards Shanghai, China
Tropical Storm "Bebinca," the 13th named storm of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season, formed on September 13, 2024, as it passed near Guam. The system is forecast to continue moving towards Japan, cross the Ryukyu Islands today, and make landfall in the coastal area around Shanghai, China on Monday morning (local time), September 16.
As of 09:00 UTC on September 14, the center of Tropical Storm "Bebinca" was located approximately 267 km (166 miles) east-northeast of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. It was moving northwestward at a speed of 28 km/h (17 mph). The storm had maximum sustained winds of 102 km/h (63 mph) and gusts up to 130 km/h (81 mph), with a minimum central pressure of 978 hPa.
Bebinca is expected to intensify further, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h (81 mph) forecast within the next 24 hours. It is moving under the influence of a subtropical ridge, which will guide it toward Shanghai, China, as it crosses the Ryukyu Islands today.
Meteorological data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) indicates that the storm is being affected by pockets of dry air on the north side, slightly hindering its development. Despite this, favorable sea surface temperatures of 29 – 30 °C (84 – 86 °F) and moderate radial outflow are supporting its continued strengthening. However, the system will not have much time to strengthen before it impacts China.
In the Philippines, PAGASA has issued warnings for the country, advising small vessels to avoid navigating the enhanced monsoon waters. Bebinca, locally named "Ferdie," continues to influence the southwest monsoon, resulting in heavy rains and hazardous sea conditions.
In Japan, storm-related rains and strong winds have already begun affecting the Ryukyu Islands, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued Yellow advisories for storm surge.
Landfall in China is expected in coastal areas around Shanghai on Monday morning, September 16 (local time), with maximum sustained winds up to 120 km/h (75 mph). China's National Meteorological Center has issued a Yellow typhoon alert, the second-lowest level in its four-color weather warning system, while Shanghai's meteorological bureau has issued a level-four emergency response, the lowest level in its four-tier system, to cope with the typhoon.
Gale-force winds and heavy rain are expected to impact the city from Saturday night to Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 28 – 30 °C (82 – 86 °F). Several railway services, including trains K234, Z196, and K379, between Shanghai, Kunming, and Nanjing, will be suspended due to the typhoon, according to China Railway Shanghai Group.
As Tropical Storm "Bebinca" approaches the Chinese coast, residents and authorities in the affected areas are advised to closely monitor the storm's development and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Chief forecaster and ideologist of the weather forecast service Pogodnik. Co-author of scientific articles and specialized content for various online media.
