Today, October 24, China Weather Network reports that most regions of the country are experiencing little precipitation, with plenty of clear and dry weather. However, the 20th typhoon of the year, “Tao Mei,” is expected to move into the eastern South China Sea today. The interaction between “Tao Mei” and a cold front is likely to bring sustained strong winds to the southern coastal areas in the coming days, particularly impacting southeastern Zhejiang, eastern Taiwan, and Hainan Island, where strong rainfall is a concern.
As the cold air moves south, the scope of precipitation has narrowed, focusing mainly on the northeast and southwestern regions. Between 8 AM yesterday and 6 AM today, coastal areas in Zhejiang, Fujian, central Guangdong, and Taiwan experienced gusts exceeding level 8.
For most of the country today, the pattern of little rainfall is expected to continue alongside predominantly sunny and dry weather conditions. By tonight, Typhoon “Tao Mei” will arrive over the eastern South China Sea and is predicted to gradually strengthen, potentially reaching severe tropical storm or typhoon intensity. This system, combined with the cold air, will bring long-lasting strong winds to southern maritime areas, along with heavy rainfall along the eastern coastal regions of China.
The Central Meteorological Station anticipates that areas such as the Altay Mountains and the Tian Shan region in Xinjiang, as well as parts of western Tibet and central and southern Qinghai, will experience light to moderate snow or sleet. In addition, eastern Taiwan and regions in southeastern Tibet and western Yunnan are expected to see moderate to heavy rain, with heavy downpours possible in eastern Taiwan.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, areas in southern Xinjiang, northern and eastern Tibet, and most of Qinghai will be subject to light to moderate snow or sleet, with the potential for heavy snow in parts of eastern Qinghai. Regions in southern Sichuan, northeastern Inner Mongolia, northeast Fujian, northern and eastern Zhejiang, Shanghai, southern Jiangsu, and southeastern Anhui will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas in eastern Zhejiang, northeastern Fujian, and eastern Taiwan likely facing heavy to torrential rain.
On the following day, snow or sleet is expected in southern Qinghai, the western Sichuan plateau, and parts of eastern Inner Mongolia, with heavy to blizzard conditions possible in southeastern Qinghai and northern Sichuan. Additionally, heavy rain is forecast across southern Jiangsu, southeastern Anhui, Shanghai, and parts of northern and eastern Zhejiang, with some regions expecting severe downpours.
Meteorological experts are warning that due to the combined effects of Typhoon “Tao Mei” and the cold air front, maritime areas in the south will experience prolonged and intense winds. Vessels navigating in regions such as the eastern South China Sea, the Taiwan Straits, and the majority of the South China Sea should return to port or avoid affected areas. Workers at sea in the central and northern South China Sea are advised to evacuate in advance, while residents and visitors on Yongxing Island, eastern Taiwan, and Hainan Island should be vigilant about heavy rain and potential hazards. Communities along the East and South China coasts should also be prepared for the secondary disasters that strong rainfall may trigger.
In central and eastern China, temperatures are expected to increase, although significant differences between daily highs and lows will persist—especially in the early morning and evening. With the influence of a temporary pause in cold air, temperatures will gradually rise over the next few days, with the highest temperatures reaching around 20°C in central North China and over 10°C in most parts of the northeast.
Moreover, minimum temperatures will also see a marked increase, expected to reach levels above the seasonal average. The northern regions will warm up quickly, with minimum temperatures across the northeast likely rising above freezing by tomorrow, and areas in the North China Plain approaching or exceeding 10°C around the 26th.
However, southern regions will see a slower rise in temperatures. This morning, Jiangnan and southern China were generally cooler than usual for this time of year. By the 26th and 27th, minimum temperatures in the south will adjust upward, reaching 15-20°C in the middle and lower Yangtze River regions. For example, in Nanjing, the minimum temperature today is around 10°C, but it will rise to 18°C by the 26th, bringing a noticeable reduction in the chill.
It’s important to note that the period around “Shuangjiang” (Frost’s Descent) typically experiences the largest fluctuations between day and night. Over the next couple of days, many areas in China are expected to see variations exceeding 10°C, with regions in the northwest and north experiencing differences of over 15°C, and in some cases reaching nearly 20°C. As a result, it’s essential for the public to dress warmly during early morning and late evening outings.
