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The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, following its sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the evacuation of approximately 350,000 residents, delivering heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Ferry services were halted and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

Matmo, this year's 21st cyclone of 2025, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Qinzhou and Chongzou. The city of Nanning also experienced significant rain amounts.

The storm triggered China's top-tier red alert, with disturbances in Zhanjiang, where businesses, transport links and highways were shut. In the special administrative region, 100 flights were impacted and dozens called off.

Future Projections

As Matmo moves inland towards the provincial area in Vietnam, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face 130-150mm on the following day, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan region in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.

Other Storm Systems

At the same time, Hurricane Priscilla formed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on the weekend, initially as a tropical storm. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to Punta Mita on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 305 miles from Cabo Corrientes with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when wind speeds reached at 121km/h.

Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards Baja California Sur. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in Michoacán and western Guerrero, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could face 50-100mm.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of the year in the Arabian Sea, prompting an warning from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On that day, Shakhti was 209 kilometers south-east of Ras al Hadd, Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph.

The storm, which has tracked south-westward and lost strength, is forecast to recurve towards the east into the the sea. Turbulent waters are expected to persist along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.