Outer Rain Bands of Typhoon Chanthu Deluge Hong Kong. Black Rain Storm Warning Issued for First Time in Two Years, over 150mm of Rain - 22nd July 2010 1200z

Video from downtown Hong Kong of the deluge brought by outer bands of typhoon Chanthu. Black rain storm warning was issued for first time in two years.

Severe Tropical Storm Chanthu Intensifies, Heading Towards Coast of South China - 21st July 2010

Latest visible satellite image of sever tropical storm Chanthu courtesy of NRL Monterey.

Current forecasts suggest it could make landfall on the coast of southern China, in western Guangdong province in about 24 hours just shy of typhoon strength. This could compound current flooding issues in central and southern China as the storm draws lots of moisture into the region. Outer rainbands are currently affecting Hong Kong, Hainan island and the coast of Guangdong.

Check back here for more updates on this developing situation...

Tropical Cyclone Alert in South China Sea...AGAIN! - 19th July 2010 0300z

Latest visible satellite image of TD 04W in South China Sea courtesy of NRL Monterey

TYPHOON ALERT

Video of typhoon Conson battering Sanya, China on 16th July 2010

Update at 0200z 17th July - Typhoon Conson has passed Hainan Island and weakened into a tropical storm as it heads towards Vietnam. Damage does not seem too bad here in Sanya. I will be returning to Hong Kong and uploading video to the website this afternoon...

Update at 1410z - Back end of typhoon Conson's eyewall slams Sanya after dark, video footage limited due to lack of light. Lowest pressure measured in eye was 974.5hPa, video will be posted online tomorrow.

Microwave satellite image showing eye of typhoon Conson directly over Sanya with solid ring of eyewall convection surrounding it.

Typhoon conditions SWEEPING across southern Hainan Island! Camera rolling, more updates to follow... Pressure now down to 982hPa in Sanya - hotel running on emergency backup power...which has subsequently just died.

Eye now brushing Sanya, winds have calmed considerabley but it won't last long - 1130z

Latest radar image showing the eye of typhoon Conson approaching Hainan Island. My current location is the extreme southern tip of Hainan - 0945z

On Location in Sanya, Hainan Island China Awaiting Typhoon Conson. Heavy Rain Showers Already Sweeping the Area - 03z July 16th 2010

More updates to follow...

Angry skies over the South China Sea, view from my hotel room.

Severe Tropical Storm Conson About to Make Landfall on the Philippines - 13th July 1200z

Severe tropical storm Conson approaching the Philippines on 13th July 2010. Image courtesy of NRL Monterey

Severe tropical storm Conson is close to making landfall on the Philippines with sustained winds of 60kts. Heavy rain and strong winds have already swept across areas of central Luzon and metro Manila could be in the firing line later tonight.

The forecast below is the latest issued by JMA:

In the longer term Conson could threaten south China once it has passed the Philippines. Check back here for more updates on this developing situation...