Report on Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen (2524)
Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen (2524)
17 to 23 October 2025
Fengshen was the thirteenth tropical cyclone affecting Hong Kong in 2025.
Fengshen formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 100 km east of Manila on the morning of 17 October and moved generally westwards, approaching the central part of the Philippines. It gradually turned to track northwestwards across the Philippines and entered the central part of the South China Sea in the following two days. Fengshen entered the northern part of the South China Sea and intensified into a severe tropical storm on 20 October. It gradually turned southwestwards the next day and attained its peak intensity that night, with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 110 km/h near its centre. It then weakened progressively, and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the coastal areas of the central part of Vietnam on the evening of 23 October.
According to press reports, Fengshen brought torrential rain and squalls to the Philippines, with a 24-hour rainfall of 400.7 millimetres recorded over Guiuan in Eastern Samar. Fengshen caused seven deaths, two missing persons and one injury in the Philippines. Over 490 000 people were affected and more than 5 800 houses were damaged. Economic loss exceeded PHP 11 million.
The Strong Monsoon Signal was issued at 10:50 p.m. on 19 October. Under the combined effect of the northeast monsoon and the outer circulation of Fengshen, local winds were moderate to fresh northerlies, strong offshore and on high ground the next day. With Fengshen edging closer to the coast of Guangdong, the local weather was gradually affected by Fengshen. The No. 3 Strong Wind Signal was issued to replace the Strong Monsoon Signal at 5:20 p.m. on 20 October when Fengshen was about 440 km south-southeast of Hong Kong. Fengshen came closest to Hong Kong at around 11 p.m. on 20 October, skirting past about 420 km south of the territory. Local winds were strong northerlies over many places in Hong Kong on 21 October. With Fengshen departing from Hong Kong, the weather of Hong Kong was dominated by the northeast monsoon gradually and thus all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 6:20 p.m. on 21 October. However, under the influence of the northeast monsoon, local winds were still strong offshore and on high ground. The Strong Monsoon Signal was issued thereafter and lasted till 7:45 a.m. on 24 October.
Fengshen did not cause any significant damage in Hong Kong during its passage. Under the combined effect of spring tide, the northeast monsoon and Fengshen, a maximum sea level of 2.93 m (above chart datum) was recorded at Tsim Bei Tsui and a maximum storm surge of 0.81 m (above astronomical tide) was recorded at Tai Po Kau. At the Observatory Headquarters, the lowest instantaneous mean sea-level pressure of 1010.8 hPa was recorded at 5:20 p.m. on 20 October.
Affected by the northeast monsoon, there were sunny intervals on 20 October. With the approach of the outer rainbands of Fengshen, it was cloudy with a few rain patches on 21 October. Under the influence of the northeast monsoon and a broad band of rain and clouds, the local weather remained cloudy and was appreciably cooler on 22 October.