Typhoon Saudel to linger over East Vietnam Sea for several days

At 4:00 am on Wednesday, the storm’s center was over the northeastern waters of the northern East Vietnam Sea, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 62–74km/h, equivalent to level 8 on Vietnam’s wind scale, with gusts reaching level 10.

The latest forecast shows Saudel maintaining level-8 winds until around September 4 before gradually weakening.

The storm is expected to move increasingly slowly and change direction several times. It will likely remain over the East Vietnam Sea for the next four days without making landfall in Vietnam.

During the day and night of September 2, Saudel is forecast to move northeast at 5–10km/h.

By 4:00 am on September 3, its center is expected to remain over the northeastern part of the northern East Vietnam Sea, with sustained winds at level 8 and gusts up to level 10.

During the following day and night, the storm is forecast to turn west-northwest at around 5km/h.

By 4:00 am on September 4, its center is expected to be over waters southeast of Guangdong Province, China, while maintaining level-8 winds and level-10 gusts.

During September 4, Saudel is forecast to turn west-southwest and move at only around 3km/h, and could weaken into a tropical depression.

By 4:00 am on September 5, the tropical depression is expected to be over waters southeast of Guangdong, with winds of 50–61km/h, or level 7, and gusts up to level 9.

It is then forecast to continue moving west-southwest at around 3km/h and gradually weaken.

Due to the storm, waters in the northeastern part of the northern East Vietnam Sea are experiencing winds of levels 6–7, with gusts of levels 8–9 and waves of 3–5m.

Near the storm’s center, winds are of level 8 with gusts up to level 10, while waves are 4–6m high and seas are rough.

Vessels operating in the affected areas face risks from thunderstorms, whirlwinds, strong winds and high waves.

Northern Vietnam remains hot

Although Saudel is not expected to make landfall in Vietnam, its western circulation is creating a divergent field with relatively dry northerly winds, bringing hot weather to many parts of northern Vietnam.

Hot conditions are forecast to continue across the north on September 2 and 3, expanding to the north-central region on September 2 and later reaching the central region.

On September 2, northern Vietnam and areas from Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri will experience hot weather, with some areas facing extreme heat. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 35–37 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 37 degrees Celsius.

On September 3, hot weather is forecast from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang and in eastern Quang Ngai, with maximum temperatures generally reaching 35–37 degrees Celsius and some places exceeding 37 degrees Celsius.