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The powerful storm made landfall on the coastal regions of China on the weekend, shortly after sweeping across the island province of Hainan. The intense weather forced the relocation of approximately 350,000 residents, bringing heavy downpours and destructive gusts, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were suspended and air travel disrupted at the airport in Haikou.

Storm Details

The typhoon, the 21st cyclone of 2025, recorded wind speeds of 151km/h and poured more than 50mm of precipitation in a short period in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of Nanning also received significant rain amounts.

The storm prompted China's highest-level red alert, with disturbances in the city, where businesses, transport links and roads were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were impacted and dozens called off.

Forecast and Movement

As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in the neighboring country, it is expected to weaken into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will continue to bring heavy rainfall. Northern Vietnam could experience significant rainfall on Monday, increasing the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is anticipated to move towards Yunnan province in China, where further heavy rainfall is likely.

Global Weather Events

Meanwhile, a hurricane named Priscilla developed off the Pacific shoreline of Mexico on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It prompted a storm watch for south-western regions from Punta San Telmo to another location on Monday.

In the morning of Sunday, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from a Mexican cape with sustained winds of 65mph. It intensified into a severe cyclone in the night, when sustained winds peaked at 121km/h.

Although unlikely to make landfall, the storm is expected to produce hazardous swells and rip currents as it moves north-west along the coast towards a Mexican state. Heavy rainfall is predicted on the coming day, reaching a considerable volume in specific Mexican states, with local totals at about 200mm. Other regions could face moderate to heavy rain.

Elsewhere, Cyclone Shakhti has developed as the first post-monsoon storm system of 2025 in the a body of water, causing an alert from the India Meteorological Department for an Indian state. On that day, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of Ras al Hadd, Oman with maximum sustained winds of 64mph.

Shakhti, which has moved south-westward and weakened, is forecast to turn towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are likely to continue along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and intense rain is anticipated in shoreline areas including Dwarka, Jamnagar and Surat.