Travelers warned of tropical depression in South China Sea
TROPICAL Depression 05W is moving landward from upper South China Sea and at 4 a.m. this morning (June 6, 2018) was about 160 kilometers from the Chinese city Guangdong therefore travelers heading that direction should check the weather before setting forth, the Thai Meteorological Department and Accuweather.com warned.
Located at latitude 21.0 degree North, longitude 111.5 degree East at 4 a.m., the tropical depression is moving north-northwestward at about 12 km/hr, with maximum sustained winds of about 55 km/hr.
However, while this storm does not have a direct impact on Thailand, travelers should stay tuned for weather updates.
Meanwhile a monsoon trough lies across the North and Northeast to this tropical depression while a moderate southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand.
This weather pattern will lead to more rain, with isolated heavy showers, in the North, the Northeast, the Central, the East and the South. People should beware of heavy rain and accumulated rainfalls.
Moderate wind waves are likely to reach around 2 meters in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand, and the same level in areas where there are thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution.
Meanwhile Accuweather.com said that Tropical Depression 05W which formed in the South China Sea will target southern China with potentially flooding rainfall the next few days.
Vietnam dodged the worst of the tropical depression as it tracked to the east Hainan Island on Tuesday into Tuesday night with downpours confined to the central coastline.
This track brought the heaviest rainfall to Hainan Island and the neighboring coastline of southeast China where rainfall averaged 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) with local amounts over 100 mm (4 inches).
Seas will remain rough and dangerous for boaters across the South China Sea through Wednesday as the tropical system approaches the China coastline.
All residents from Hainan Island to Beihai and Guangzhou should be alert for travel disruption and flash flooding over the next few days.
Hong Kong and Macau could also face several rounds of downpours capable of producing flash flooding.
Despite remaining weak, the biggest concern is that the storm will move very slowly, which may lead to extreme rainfall totals and a widespread flood danger as some locations may see downpours of several straight days.
While the tropical system is expected to dissipate quickly after moving inland across southeast China, moisture from the storm will be pulled northeastward later this week.
Downpours could target areas around Shanghai from Friday into Saturday before reaching South Korea Saturday night into Sunday.
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Top: Accuweather.com chart showing the direction of Tropical Depression 05W.
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