Tropical Storm Nida to unleash flooding downpours over Philippines before targeting China

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

July 30,2016; 9:06PM,EDT

 

 

Tropical Storm Nida, known as Carina in the Philippines, threatens to bring flooding rain to the Philippines through Sunday with future impacts on China and Taiwan.
An area of low pressure developed into a tropical depression on Friday evening, local time, before strengthening into a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon.
Initially, the western fringe of the system's downpours grazed Samar and Catanduanes islands of the central Philippines. From Friday into Saturday, Catarman reported 312 mm (12.3 inches) of rain.

As the system strengthens through Sunday, rain and wind will increase around it.
Seas will also build across the Philippine Sea, creating hazards for shipping interests and rough surf for swimmers along the east coast of the Philippines. Swimmers at the western beaches may also encounter elevated surf and rip current risk.
The most significant flood risk in the Philippines will unfold across northern Luzon through Monday as the system approaches and then tracks onshore or just to the north of the island.
The slow movement of the system could yield 150-300 mm (6-12 inches) of rain with locally higher amounts in the mountains. In addition, flooding and life-threatening mudslides may result.
An area of heavy rain is also expected to fall in southern Taiwan, generally across Taitung and Pingtung counties. Sunday night and Monday will bring the heaviest rain to these areas with isolated flash flooding possible in the mountainous terrain.
RELATED:
Philippine weather center
AccuWeather typhoon center
Tropical Storm Mirinae topples trees, floods roads in Hanoi
While there could be minor wind damage resulting in power outages, flooding will remain the greater threat across northern Luzon.
"Manila looks to miss the worst of this system with the strongest wind and rains off to the north," AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Spamer said. "However, some waves of heavy rain will still be possible next week as the system passes by to the north and a southwesterly wind develops."
The system will likely strengthen into a typhoon after departing Luzon, and residents of China are being put on alert for potential impacts during the early and middle part of next week.

"The most likely scenario looks for the system to track into southeastern China," Spamer said. "Landfall in China is possible for Tuesday."
While Nida is over the South China Sea, it will continue to strengthen into a powerful storm. It is possible that it could become as strong as a Category 2 hurricane before moving onshore.
Communities along the coast of Guangdong and in southern Guangxi stand the best chance for seeing damaging wind gusts to typhoon force. Hong Kong and Macau are included within this area.
Flooding rainfall will inundate the southern coast of China which will likely lead to widespread flooding.
Despite weakening, flooding rain will continue to accompany further inland into western Guangxi, Guizhou and eastern Yunnan. Wind damage is not expected to be a concern once the storm moves inland.
Content contributed by Meteorologist Adam Douty