Saudel initially formed over the northwestern Pacific on August 9 and swept past the northern Mariana Islands and southern Japan before making landfall in Fujian Province, China, on August 28.
It then moved southeast towards Guangdong Province, weakening into a low-pressure area before entering the northern East Sea on August 31 and regaining storm strength early on September 1.
At 4 am on September 1, the storm's centre was about 240 km north of the Paracel Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 62-74 km/h and gusts reaching level 10 on the Vietnamese scale.
Saudel is forecast to move northeast towards the Taiwan Strait at 15-25 km/h over the next two days, with little change in intensity.
It is expected to remain at level 8 by 4 am on September 3, with gusts of level 10, over the northeastern East Sea. The storm could then turn north-northwest, slow down and weaken into a tropical depression.
By early September 4, the depression is forecast to be south of Fujian, China, with winds of 50-61 km/h and gusts of level 9, before turning west and weakening further.
The storm is forecast to bring strong winds and rough seas to the northern East Sea, including waters around the Paracel Islands, with waves of 2-4 metres and 3-5 metres near its centre. Vessels face risks from thunderstorms, strong winds and high waves.
The tropical convergence zone linked to Saudel is forecast to bring scattered showers and thunderstorms from Quang Tri to Danang on September 1, with rainfall of 10-30 mm and localised totals above 50 mm, before easing overnight.
The Central Highlands and southeastern Vietnam could see 10-30 mm of rain on Tuesday afternoon and evening, with localised totals above 60 mm.
Meanwhile, most of northern Vietnam, except Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Son La, will see temperatures of 35-37 degrees Celsius on September 1, with some areas exceeding 37 degrees, before the heat eases from September 2.
Hot weather is forecast to return from Thanh Hoa to Danang and eastern Quang Ngai on September 2, with temperatures of 35-37 degrees Celsius and some areas exceeding 37 degrees.
