Storm Fung Wong heads northeast, unlikely to impact Vietnam’s mainland

Fung Wong, the 14th to enter the East Vietnam Sea this year, packed maximum sustained winds near the center at 103-117 kph, with gusts up to 150-166 kph.

Over the next 24 hours, it is forecast to move north-northeast at about 15 kph.

By 1:00 pm on Wednesday, the storm’s center will be over the northeastern part of the northern East Vietnam Sea, maintaining winds of 89-102 kph and gusts of 134-149 kph.

Between 24 and 48 hours, Fung Wong is expected to continue northeastward at 20 kph, making landfall in Taiwan and weakening into a tropical depression by Thursday, before further degrading into a low-pressure area as it moves east-northeast.

The national weather agency described the storm’s track as unusual for the late season.

Typically, storms at this time of year move west or west-southwest toward Vietnam’s south-central coast.

However, Fung Wong is veering northward and then out to sea.

This pattern results from a weakened and southward-expanded subtropical ridge north of the storm, altering the steering currents and causing the storm to drift north.

As it climbs to higher latitudes, the system enters the upper-level westerly flow, which will steer it east-northeast and out of the East Vietnam Sea.

As a result, storm Fung Wong is unlikely to affect Vietnam’s mainland.

Due to the storm’s influence, the eastern waters of the northern East Vietnam Sea are experiencing winds of 50-74 kph, with the area near the center reaching 75-117 kph and gusts up to 150-166 kph.

Wave heights are estimated at 4-6 meters, rising to 7-9 meters near the storm’s eye.

All vessels operating in these dangerous waters are warned of severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and large waves.