Super Typhoon Bavi nears China: Why it's unusually large

Eastern China is bracing for Super Typhoon Bavi as destructive winds and heavy rain are forecast to smash into a broad area when the storm approaches the country's southeastern coast later this week.

As of 5 a.m. on July 8, Bavi was centered about 1,650 kilometers southeast of northeastern Taiwan and moving westward at 20-25 km per hour, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). The storm is moving toward waters east of Taiwan, on track to make landfall along the Zhejiang-Fujian coast later this week as a strong or severe typhoon, though some uncertainty remains.

Meteorologists say Bavi stands out not only for its intensity but also for its exceptional size. The storm has maintained super typhoon strength for more than 80 hours, while its cloud shield spans more than 1,300 km – unusually large for a typhoon, according to the CMA.

Bavi is tracking over exceptionally warm ocean waters that fuel its circulation, Xiang Chunyi, chief typhoon forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, explained. A steady supply of tropical moisture, combined with favorable upper-level atmospheric conditions, has further helped the storm retain its structure and intensity.

Zhejiang upgraded its emergency response to Level III on Tuesday, suspending ferry services, halting coastal construction projects and evacuating more than 3,000 residents from remote islands. Neighboring Jiangsu has also called off in-person classes at schools, kindergartens and training institutions on July 9 and 10, while postponing summer camps and study tours.

Bavi's unusually broad circulation means strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected to extend far beyond the eventual landfall area. It is forecast to lash China's Taiwan, Zhejiang, and Fujian, while its circulation is expected to continue moving inland after landfall, bringing prolonged rainfall to parts of east, central, and northern China through the middle of next week.

Meteorologists warned that inland areas could face secondary disasters, including flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding, particularly where new rainfall overlaps with regions already hit by heavy downpours.

As online speculation swirls, the CMA has urged the public not to trust AI-generated videos falsely claiming Bavi could reach "18-level" winds or comparing it with a fictitious "Typhoon Wilson." China's typhoon wind classification tops out at Level 17 or above, and there is no official classification for Level 18 winds.