Typhoon Summary for August 20: Soudelor Develops, South China Sea Depression Approaches Southern China

Typhoon Bot Original · 2026-08-20 Evening Edition · More typhoon news · live track map

Overview of Today's Typhoon Situation

As of this evening, typhoon activity in the Northwest Pacific and the South China Sea presents a pattern of "one distant, one near." This year's 18th typhoon, "Soudelor," is steadily intensifying over the open ocean, while the tropical depression in the South China Sea continues to approach the coast of Southern China, bringing significant wind and rain impacts to several southern provinces.

Analysis of Active Typhoon Dynamics

This Year's 18th Typhoon "Soudelor" (202618): Currently centered at 12°N, 151°E in the Northwest Pacific, with a central pressure of 998 hPa and maximum sustained winds of 18 m/s. It is moving northward at 15 km/h. Official forecasts indicate its intensity will gradually increase, expecting to reach near 26.1°N, 132.5°E by 14:00 on the 25th, achieving super typhoon status. However, its track generally trends toward the open seas east of the Ryukyu Islands, posing no direct impact on Chinese waters within the next five days.

South China Sea Tropical Depression (20260021): Centered at 19.5°N, 109.7°E, with a central pressure of 998 hPa and maximum sustained winds of 12 m/s. It is moving west-northwest at 9 km/h. This system is gradually approaching Southern China and is expected to be near 20.3°N, 106.4°E by 14:00 on the 25th, maintaining tropical depression strength. It is the primary weather system affecting China in the near term.

Public Concerns and Focus Points

Recently, heavy rainfall brought by the South China Sea depression has become the core public concern. Areas such as Qinzhou, Beihai, and Fangchenggang in Guangxi, as well as Hainan, have issued frequent typhoon warnings. Many netizens are concerned whether "Soudelor" will head directly for Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. However, meteorological analysis points out that its formation position is relatively west, and its peak intensity occurs mainly over the open ocean, so it will not repeat the paths of previous typhoons. Additionally, potential heavy rainfall and secondary disasters in parts of Guangdong, as well as the complex situation of multiple tropical disturbances dancing in the Northwest Pacific, are also hot topics of discussion.

Meteorological Defense and Safety Tips

Affected by the South China Sea tropical depression, coastal areas of Southern China need to be highly alert to urban and rural waterlogging, flash floods, and geological disasters caused by heavy rainfall. Vessels operating at sea should return to port promptly to take shelter from the wind. Coastal residents are advised to close windows and doors securely and reduce unnecessary outings.

Please refer to official warnings from the CMA (China Meteorological Administration) and local governments.

Live Data of Active Typhoons

TyphoonIntensityCentral Pressure (hPa)Max Wind Speed (m/s)Current PositionMovement
Soudelor (202618)Tropical Storm9981812°N 151°ENorth 15km/h
Tropical Depression (20260021)Tropical Depression9981219.5°N 109.7°EWest-Northwest 9km/h

Data source: Actual measurements from official agencies such as the CMA, as of the time of publication. For real-time updates, please see the Typhoon Track Map.

Reference reports

The previous article: 20 August Typhoon Review: S Sea Low Pressure Near China S, Saudel Enhanced · Next article: 21 August Typhoon Review: Saudel will strengthen, China S storm continues

This article was originally written by TyphoonSays platform, data from official agencies such as CMA (China) and public reports, for reference only, please be officially published.