The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that early on October 18, a tropical depression over the eastern waters of the central Philippines intensified into a typhoon, internationally named Fengshen.
At 7 am, the typhoon’s centre was located over the sea east of central Philippines with wind speeds of level 8, or 62 to 74 kilometres per hour, and gusts reaching level 10. Fengshen was moving west at about 20 kilometres per hour.
By around 7 am on October 19, the typhoon is expected to turn west-northwest, strengthening to level 9 with gusts at level 11 near the eastern coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines.
At 7 am on October 20, Fengshen is forecast to be over the sea east of the northern part of the East Sea, with sustained winds at level 9 and gusts at level 11. The typhoon is expected to continue moving west-northwest and intensify to level 10, gusting level 12, over the northern East Sea by 7 am on October 21.
Between 72 and 120 hours from now, the typhoon will likely shift southwest, moving at about 10 kilometres per hour and possibly strengthening further.
Due to Fengshen’s influence, from October 19 the eastern area of the northern East Sea will see winds increasing to levels 6-7, with areas near the typhoon’s centre reaching levels 8-9 and gusting to level 11. Waves will rise 2.5 to 5 metres, creating very rough seas.
Forecasters warned that between October 20 and 22, the northern East Sea, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, could experience winds at levels 10-11, with gusts up to level 13.
Vessels operating in the affected areas are advised to take precautions against thunderstorms, whirlwinds, strong winds, and high waves.
Meanwhile, a cold air mass is moving southwards. The weather agency predicted that by early October 19, cold air will affect the northeastern region, and between October 20 and 22, it will intensify and spread to other areas of the northeast, north-central, and parts of the northwest and central-central regions.
The northeast is expected to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms. From the evening of October 19, northern Vietnam will turn cool, and by the night of October 20, it will become cold, with mountainous areas turning chilly.
Lowest temperatures during this cold spell are forecast at 19-21 degrees Celsius in the northern delta, 17-19 degrees in the midlands and mountainous areas, and below 16 degrees in high mountain regions.
Hanoi will see scattered rain and thunderstorms. The capital is expected to cool from the evening of October 19, turning cold at night and early morning from October 20, with lows of 19-21 degrees Celsius.
