Typhoon Saudel regenerates as tropical storm over South China Sea

Typhoon Saudel, the 18th named storm of this year, has regenerated into a tropical storm after being officially discontinued. Its center was located over the northeastern South China Sea, about 190 kilometers southeast of Shanwei, Guangdong Province, at 5 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Wednesday.

Saudel weakened and lost its designation earlier, but unexpectedly regained typhoon strength early on Tuesday and retained its name and number. It is currently at tropical storm intensity and is expected to move east-northeastward on Wednesday. Under the combined influence of Saudel and Typhoon No. 24, strong winds of up to 9 to 10 on the Beaufort scale are forecast over most of the South China Sea, the eastern and southern East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait.

Why did Saudel re-intensify after being downgraded? 

According to Shen Yuyang, a meteorological analyst at the China Meteorological Administration, such a revival is rare. Typically, a typhoon weakens quickly after landfall due to loss of energy and increased surface friction if it moves inland. However, Saudel's post-landfall path took it southwestward under a high-pressure system to the north, then southward as cold air increased the southerly component of the steering flow. The remnant circulation eventually moved into the South China Sea through western Guangdong.

Once over the sea, with lower friction and warm sea surface temperatures in the northern South China Sea, Saudel gained renewed energy and moisture. Additionally, monsoon airflow provided continuous water vapor support, preventing the remnants from dissipating entirely over land.

Currently, Saudel lies within a monsoon trough. It is expected to move east-northeastward under southwest monsoon flow, but may linger and weaken in the northeastern South China Sea starting September 3. Its later track remains highly uncertain.

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