Newly formed tropical depression to bring flooding, mudslides to China and Vietnam this week

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

A new tropical depression formed in the South China Sea on Monday and will bring days of heavy rainfall to parts of China and Vietnam this week.

This new tropical depression comes on the heels of Tropical Depression Egay, which helped spark heavy rainfall across the Philippines in recent days before dissipating.

While the threat for flooding has ended across the Philippines, this risk will be on the increase across parts of southeast China and northern Vietnam in the coming days.

As this new tropical threat slowly tracks west to northwest, it will bring days of torrential rainfall to the region.

While significant strengthening is not expected due to interaction with land, this new tropical threat may become a tropical storm during the next 24-48 hours as it tracks near or over Hainan, China and into the Tonkin Sea.

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected across Hainan through Wednesday before conditions improve by Thursday.

Localized flooding and some minor wind damage are possible across the island. Total rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) is expected along with wind gusts of 65-95 km/h (40-60 mph).

Satellite image showing clouds associated with a tropical depression over the South China Sea on Tuesday, local time. (Japan Meteorological Agency/Himawari 8 Image)

After reaching the Tonkin Sea, a northwest track will take the tropical threat into northern Vietnam near the border with China.

These areas will receive localized downpours in advance of the storm's arrival, with the heaviest rainfall expected from Wednesday night into Friday.

Total rainfall of 150-300 mm (6-12 inches) is expected across northern Vietnam and southern parts of the Guangxi province in China.

Flooding will be the most widespread concern; however, there will be a heightened risk for mudslides in areas of rugged terrain that receive heavy rainfall.

RELATED: 
China Weather Center 
Interactive China weather satellite 
AccuWeather 2019 Asia summer forecast

The risk for damaging winds will be at and near the coast from Hai Phong to Beihai. Rough seas will also be a concern for marine activities in the region.

By Friday, this tropical threat is expected to be inland across northern Vietnam and weakening rapidly.

Localized downpours will continue to be a concern across the region this weekend, but the risk for flooding and mudslides will slowly diminish.

While this tropical system will remain far to the southwest of Hong Kong, the city and surrounding areas can experience heavy downpours at times into this weekend as tropical moisture streams into the area.