Cimaron to Bring Another Round of Flooding Rain to Taiwan

By Dan DePodwin, Meteorologist

July 17,2013; 1:21PM,EDT

 

 

 

A week after Typhoon Soulik dumped over 30 cm (12 inches) of rain in northern Taiwan and southeastern China and buffeted the region with 110-plus km/h winds (70-plus mph), another tropical system (Cimaron) threatens to bring more torrential rain to the southern half of Taiwan before moving into China.
As of Thursday morning, local time (Thursday evening EDT), Tropical Storm Cimaron was packing winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and was located 235 miles southeast of Hong Kong.
Although the storm is not expected to make landfall in southeastern China until Thursday evening local time (Thursday morning EDT), nasty weather will spread over parts of Taiwan into the day on Thursday.
Flooding is the main concern from Cimaron. The heaviest rain in Taiwan will fall over the southeast, especially the southern highlands. Taitung, Chengkung and Hengchun could get rainfall of 75 to 150 mm (3 to 6 inches) of rain. Up to 300 mm (1 foot) can fall in the southeastern mountain slopes.
Urban and stream flooding will be possible, as will mudslides.
Wind gusts in Taiwan should remain relatively weak, gusting to only 65 km/h (40 mph).

After its brush with Taiwan, Cimaron is expected to hold strength and make landfall in southeastern China, likely in eastern Guangdong Province, late Thursday, local time.
Unfavorable wind shear is likely to be a significant factor in capping top winds well below typhoon strength through the time of landfall.
While gale-force winds could cause local damage, a greater threat to southeast China will be that of flooding from rainfall that could exceed 200 mm (8 inches) through Friday near the path of Cimaron.
Cimaron, once inland, will weaken quickly before dissipating over southern mainland China.
AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews contributed to this story