Overview of Tropical Cyclones in August 2020

Eight tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in August 2020. Sinlaku and Higos necessitated the issuance of the tropical cyclone warning signals by the Observatory.

A monsoon depression entered the South China Sea on 30 July and developed into a tropical depression the next night. The tropical depression generally tracked west-northwestward towards Hainan Island and was named Sinlaku on the afternoon of 1 August. Sinlaku intensified into a tropical storm over Beibu Wan in the small hours of the next day and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h. It made landfall over the northern part of Vietnam on the morning of 2 August and weakened into an area of low pressure over inland Vietnam that night. For detailed information of Sinlaku including its impact to Hong Kong, please refer to the Tropical Cyclone Report of Sinlaku.

Tropical depression Hagupit formed over the western North Pacific about 800 km east-southeast of Taibei on the afternoon of 1 August. It moved generally northwestward across the seas east of Taiwan and intensified gradually. Hagupit developed into a typhoon on the afternoon of 3 August and reached its peak intensity at night with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 130 km/h near its centre. Hagupit made landfall over the coast of Zhejiang in the early morning of 4 August and weakened. It then turned to move northward across the vicinity of Zhejiang and Jiangsu and then tracked northeastward across the Yellow Sea. Hagupit finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in the early morning of 6 August.

According to press reports, Hagupit left at least one death and one injury when it skirted past the vicinity of Taiwan. Hagupit also brought heavy rain and squalls to Zhejiang and Jiangsu and there were severe flooding in many places. At least two persons were killed in Zhejiang and power supply to over 1.8 million households was suspended.

Jangmi formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 600 km south-southwest of Okinawa on the small hours of 9 August. It intensified into a tropical storm in the morning and rapidly moved northward across the vicinity of Ryukyu Islands. Jangmi reached its peak intensity on 10 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre. It tracked north-northeast across the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula during the day and evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas north of Honshu at night.

Mekkhala formed as a tropical depression over the northeastern part of the South China Sea about 390 km south-southeast of Dongsha on the night of 9 August and moved northwards. It intensified into a tropical storm the next afternoon. Mekkhala rapidly intensified at night and developed into a severe tropical storm in the early morning of 11 August. It reached its peak intensity before making landfall over Fujian with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 110 km/h near its centre. Mekkhala moved inland Fujian and dissipated gradually during the day.

According to press reports, many trees were fallen in Fujian during the passage of Mekkhala. Power supply to more than 160 000 households was suspended.

A tropical depression was formed over the western North Pacific about 320 km east-northeast of Iwo Jima on the night of 10 August and moved generally westward towards the vicinity of Ryukyu Islands. The tropical depression reached its peak intensity the next morning with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 55 km/h near its centre. The tropical depression then weakened gradually and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure near Ryukyu Islands on the early morning of 13 August.

Higos formed as a tropical depression over the northeastern part of the South China Sea at about 650 km east-southeast of Hong Kong on the night of 17 August. It generally moved northwestwards across the northern part of the South China Sea. While edging towards the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary, Higos intensified rapidly the next day and developed into a severe tropical storm in the afternoon. Higos further intensified into a typhoon near the Pearl River Estuary that night, reaching its peak intensity in the small hours of 19 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 130 km/h near its centre. It made landfall over Zhuhai on the morning of 19 August. Higos then moved into the western part of Guangdong and weakened gradually during the day. It degenerated into an area of low pressure over Guangxi that night.

According to press reports, 15 persons were injured in Macao during the passage of Higos. There were flooding in low lying areas in Inner Harbour. For detailed information of Higos including its impact to Hong Kong, please refer to the Tropical Cyclone Report of Higos.

Bavi formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 300 km south-southeast of Taibei on the night of 21 August. It drifted generally northeastwards at first and intensified gradually. Bavi slowed down and developed into a typhoon on 24 August. It further intensified into a severe typhoon the next day and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 165 km/h near its centre. Bavi then picked up speed to move northwards across the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. It made landfall near vicinity of the northwestern part of the Korean Peninsula on the morning of 27 August. Bavi evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the northeastern part of China that night.

According to press reports, Bavi left at least one death to DPR Korea during its passage. There were fallen trees and electric poles in many places. Some of the roads were flooded.

Maysak formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 050 km east-northeast of Manila on the afternoon of 28 August. It intensified and lingered around the seas east of the Philippines in the following two days. Maysak intensified into a typhoon in the small hours of 30 August and picked up speed to move northwards. It further developed into a super typhoon the next night and moved towards the vicinity of Ryukyu Islands.