An intense tropical depression located east of the Philippines has strengthened into Typhoon “Tammy” (tropical storm level) as of early October 22, marking the 20th typhoon of the season. The Hainan Provincial Meteorological Administration anticipates that “Tammy” will enter the northeastern area of the South China Sea by the night of October 24, and is expected to approach the eastern coast of Hainan Island to the western coast of Guangdong by October 26.
As of 8 AM on October 22, monitoring reports indicated that the center of “Tammy” was located at 13.9 degrees north latitude and 127.5 degrees east longitude, approximately 710 kilometers east of Manila, Philippines. The maximum wind speed near the center was recorded at level 8 (18 meters per second), with a central pressure of 998 hPa. “Tammy” is projected to move northwest at a speed of 15-20 kilometers per hour, gradually increasing in intensity.
The Hainan Provincial Meteorological Administration forecasts that due to “Tammy,” wind strength in the eastern and northern South China Sea, as well as near the Zhongsha and Xisha Islands and the eastern waters of Hainan Island, will increase from east to west to levels 8-11, with gusts reaching up to level 12. The waters near the typhoon’s center could experience rotating winds at levels 13-14.
