Overview of Tropical Cyclones in October 2020

Seven tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in October 2020. Among them, Nangka and Saudel necessitated the issuance of the tropical cyclone warning signals by the Observatory.

Chan-hom formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 350 km southwest of Iwo Jima in the small hours on 5 October and drifted northwards at first. Chan-hom turned to move west-northwestwards across the sea areas south of Japan the next day and intensified gradually. Chan-hom developed into a typhoon on the afternoon of 7 October and reached its peak intensity at night with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 130 km/h near its centre. Chan-hom turned gradually to move eastwards and weakened in the following few days. It finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the western North Pacific to the north of Iwo Jima on the morning of 12 October.

Linfa formed as a tropical depression over the southern part of the South China Sea about 660 km east-southeast of Da Nang on the morning of 10 October. It moved westwards towards the central part of Vietnam and intensified gradually. Linfa developed into a tropical storm in the small hours on 11 October, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. Linfa made landfall over the central part of Vietnam in the afternoon and degenerated into an area of low pressure over Indo-China at night.

According to press reports, Linfa brought torrential rain to Vietnam, leading to at least 17 deaths and 13 missing.

Nangka formed as a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea about 500 km southeast of Dongsha on the afternoon of 11 October. It then moved west-northwestwards towards Hainan Island and intensified gradually. Nangka intensified into a tropical storm on the afternoon of 12 October, reaching its peak intensity at night with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre. It moved across Hainan Island on the night of 13 October and weakened gradually. Nangka entered Beibu Wan the next day and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over inland Vietnam that night.

According to press reports, a cargo ship overturned near Qiongzhou Strait when Nangka was striking Hainan. Two crew members on board died and three were missing. Nangka also brought heavy rain and squalls to Vietnam, leaving at least two deaths and one missing. For detailed information of Nangka including its impacts to Hong Kong, please refer to the Tropical Cyclone Report of Nangka.

Saudel formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 920 km east of Manila on the morning of 19 October. Saudel moved generally west-northwestwards and intensified gradually. It moved across Luzon on the night of 20 October and entered the central part of the South China Sea in the next morning. Saudel turned to move northwestwards during the day. It intensified into a typhoon on 22 October and reached its peak intensity the next day with an estimated sustained wind of 140 km/h near its centre. Affected by the dry northeast monsoon, Saudel then turned to track westwards and weakened gradually. It finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the seas east of central Vietnam on the night of 25 October.

According to press reports, over 6000 people were evacuated because of flooding and landslips in the Philippines during the passage of Saudel. For detailed information of Saudel including its impacts to Hong Kong, please refer to the Tropical Cyclone Report of Saudel.

Molave formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 990 km east of Manila on the afternoon of 24 October. It moved generally westwards and intensified rapidly. Molave intensified into a typhoon on the night of 25 October and then moved across the central part of the Philippines. It entered the southern part of the South China Sea in the next morning. Molave further developed into a severe typhoon on 27 October, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 165 km/h near its centre. Molave then weakened gradually and made landfall over the central part of Vietnam around noon on 28 October. Molave finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over Indo-China on 29 October.

According to press report, Molave brought torrential rain and squalls to the Philippines, leaving at least 9 deaths, 6 injuries and 2 missing. At least 27 people were killed and 74 were missing in Vietnam during the passage of Molave.

Goni formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1960 km east of Manila on the afternoon of 28 October. It moved west to west-southwestwards and intensified rapidly. Goni intensified into a super typhoon on 30 October and moved towards the central part of the Philippines.

Atsani formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1010 km south-southeast of Guam on the morning of 29 October. It moved generally northwestwards and intensified gradually. Atsani intensified into a tropical storm at night and continued to move towards seas east of the Philippines in the following two days.