Typhoon Mangkhut has dropped from Category 5 to Category 2 after landfall over Luzon Island, Philippines late on Friday. The tyhoon is tracking across the Southern China Sea for landfall today.
Typhoon Mangkhut over South China Sea today, 00:27 UTC. Image: Himawari-8 / NOAA RAMMB CIRA.
Mangkhut rapidly lost organization and strength after landfall over Luzon Island, Philippines on Friday. It dropped from a Catefory 5 super typhoon to a Category 2 typhoon, currently with peak sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). It is currently tracking towards China for landfall today, south of Hongkong, likely between the cities Yangjiang and Maoming. While peak winds have diminished considerably, the Category 2 typhoon is still dangerous, extended torrential rainfall and major flooding is expected along the coastal area.