Why the fuss over Super Typhoon Mangkhut, how did it get so big and is your weekend ruined? All the things you need to know as Hong Kong prepares for storm
Hongkongers are bracing for what may be most powerful tropical cyclone to hit city. Vegetable prices have shot up and windows are taped. Here is all you need to know.
As Super Typhoon Mangkhut continues to gather strength in the Western Pacific, Hongkongers are bracing for what may be the most powerful tropical cyclone ever to hit the city.
Vegetable prices went up as families stocked up while windows were taped and discussions were had over whether this was even the best practice.
But the jury was still out over whether this would be a direct hit. When it comes to typhoons – at least when they are this far out at sea – size is not always the most important factor. Here’s what you need to know before the storm hits.
We get typhoons every summer, what’s the fuss?
Mangkhut is big. It has a large circulation and is already whipping up intense winds and heavy rain. From what meteorologists can see, the whirling mass of clouds is on track to be the most powerful storm to hit Hong Kong since it began collecting typhoon records in 1946.
With maximum sustained winds of up to 240km/h (149mph) near its centre, this puts it on par with a Category 5 hurricane, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale for tropical cyclones in the western hemisphere.