Tropical Storm Podul (16W) – Tropical Cyclone Advisory #15: 0000 UTC 14 August 2025

Podul quickly moving inland over southeastern China and weakening rapidly.

Author

Will Weaver
August 13, 2025

…Podul quickly moving inland over southeastern China and weakening rapidly…

Himawari-9 visible satellite image (Weathernerds)

Current storm information:

  • Position: 24.8°N 114.4°E

  • Movement: WNW at 20 knots (35 km/h)

  • Intensity: 40 knots (75 km/h)

  • Central pressure: 994 hPa

Trend:

  • Rapid weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Podul is expected to dissipate over land later today.

Watches and warnings:

  • No. 1 Storm Signal (HKO/SMG): Hong Kong, Macau

Hazards affecting land:

  • Podul is expected to continue producing very heavy rainfall over southeastern China during the next couple of days. This rainfall is expected to cause widespread flash flooding and landslides. For additional information, including possible additional warnings, refer to products from your local weather office.

Discussion:

Podul made landfall in southeastern China south of Zhangzhou at around 1600 UTC with winds of 65 kts. Since then, Podul’s structure has fallen apart extremely rapidly. Radar data from CMA indicates that Podul’s circulation has become sharply elongated as the system moves further inland, and it is possible the circulation is no longer closed. Most of the convection is limited to coastal regions and over water, as well, with dry air quickly becoming entrained within what is left of the circulation. The intensity is lowered to 40 kts based on surface observations.

Podul should not last much longer. The circulation should continue to lose definition, and Podul will likely dissipate within the next 12 to 18 hours.

Forecast positions and maximum winds

  • 00 hrs: 24.8°N 114.4°E – 40 kts inland

  • 12 hrs: 26.2°N 112.2°E – 25 kts inland

  • 24 hrs: Dissipated