On 29 September, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) identified a low-pressure area approximately 241 nautical miles (446km) north-northeast of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. Satellite imagery indicated a weak area turning with disorganised convective activity, primarily along the system's western boundary.[1] The disturbance later entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was namedPaolo by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) around 08:00 PHT (00:00 UTC) on 1 October, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)[α] also starting advisories and classifying it as a tropical depression.[2][3] The JTWC also issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) later that same day, citing tropical cyclone formation within the next 12 to 24 hours.[4] The agency later followed suit and designated Paolo as 27W, with fragmented banding and flaring convection around the low-level circulation centre (LLCC).[5] Both agencies upgraded 27W into a tropical storm on the following day, with the JMA assigning it the international name Matmo as it tracked west-northwestwards.[6] At 23:00 PHT (15:00 UTC), the PAGASA upgraded Matmo to a severe tropical storm, as satellite imagery showed improved organisation, with deep convective banding wrapping into the LLCC, embedded in a favourable environment.[7][8] The JMA later followed suit and also upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm early on 3 October.[9]
Both the JTWC and the PAGASA subsequently upgraded Matmo to a minimal typhoon before it made landfall over Dinapigue, Isabela.[10][11][12][13] As the typhoon brushed over Northern Luzon, a satellite imagery revealed a well-defined deep convective banding pattern wrapping into the LLCC of Matmo, featuring an impressive central dense overcast (CDO) and extensive feeder bands extending well beyond the island's perimeter.[14] The PAGASA and the JTWC later downgraded Matmo to a mid-range tropical storm before it reemerged over the West Philippine Sea near Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur at 17:00 PHT.[15][16] The JTWC re-upgraded Matmo to a typhoon at around 09:00 UTC on 4 October as it showed improving convective banding around the LLCC and cooling cloud tops cooled over the previous six hours.[17] On the following day Matmo reached its peak intensity of a Category2-equivalent typhoon, with estimated one-minute sustained winds of 165km/h (89kn) and a minimum central pressure of 968hPa (28.6inHg).[18] It made landfall over Naozhou Island and Donghai Island near Mazhang District and Xuwen County on the Leizhou Peninsula on 5 October[19][20] at 14:50 CST (06:50 UTC).[21] It made another landfall over Fangchenggang,[22]Guangxi Province early on 6 October at 01:10 CST[23][24] after it entered the Gulf of Tonkin.[25]
Preparations
Philippines
Tropical Storm Matmo approaching Luzon on October2
TCWS No.2 was raised the following day for some portions of Apayao, Cagayan, and Ilocos Sur, as well as the entire provinces of Abra and Kalinga.[30] As Matmo strengthened into a severe tropical storm at 23:00 PHT (15:00 UTC), the agency upgraded several areas to TCWS No.3, including northern Aurora, Benguet, La Union, central and southern Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and the entire provinces of Ifugao and Mountain Province.[31][32] At 11:00 PHT (03:00 UTC) on 3 October, the agency raised TCWS No.4 for extreme northern Aurora, the southern portions of Isabela, Abra, Ilocos Sur, the northern portions of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, La Union, and the entire provinces of Mountain Province and Ifugao.[12][33] The signal was later lowered when PAGASA downgraded Matmo to a severe tropical storm at 17:00 PHT on 3 October.[34]
Apart from wind signals, the PAGASA issued a heavy rainfall advisory at 11:00 PHT on 3 October, placing Bataan and Zambales under an Orange Rainfall Warning, indicating that flooding was threatening and residents should prepare to evacuate if necessary. A Yellow Rainfall Warning was also issued for Batangas, Cavite, and several towns in Quezon, signalling the possibility of flooding in flood-prone areas.[35] A storm surge warning was also in effect over parts of Luzon.[36][37] Classes were suspended in Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya on 3 October.[38]
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) began tracking the low-pressure area as early as 29 September,[39] upgrading it to a tropical depression by 23:00 HKT (15:00 UTC) on 1 October.[40] At 17:20 HKT (09:20 UTC) on 3 October, the HKO announced that the Standby Signal No.1 would be issued at 7:40 p.m. HKT.[41] The signal was issued as scheduled,[42] setting a new record that the tropical cyclone warning signal was issued for the twelfth storm in a season, surpassing the 1974 record of eleven storms.[43] At 12:20 HKT (04:20 UTC) on 4 October, the Strong Wind Signal No.3 was issued,[44] following an earlier announcement made at 09:40 HKT (01:40 UTC).[45] Later that day, at 17:45 HKT (09:45 UTC), the HKO upgraded Matmo to typhoon status.[46] On the next day, at 15:40 HKT the Strong Wind Signal No.3 was lowered to the Standby Signal No.1.[47] The No.1 Standby Signal was lowered at 22:20 HKT (14:20 UTC).[48].
Macau
The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau[β] (SMG) issued the n.°1 signal[yue] at 23:00 MST (15:00 UTC) on 3 October.[49][50][51] The 1974 record on the number of storms which required the issuing of warning signals was tied.[52] The signal was raised to n.°3 at 16:00 MST (08:00 UTC) on 4 October.[53][54] A blue storm surge warning was also issued, at 12:00 MST.[55] At 20:00 MST (12:00 UTC) the SMG upgraded Matmo to a typhoon.[56] They also announced at 23:00 MST (15:00 UTC) that the n.°8Southeast signal would be hoisted between 02:00 to 04:00 MST on 5 October.[57] The signal was hoisted at 02:00 MST and reverted to n.°3 at 13:00 MST;[58][59] whereas the storm surge signal was cancelled at 11:00 MST.[60][61] The state of prevention as declared also ended at 13:00 MST as n.°8 signal was lowered.[62] When the n.°8 signal was hoisted ferry services with Hong Kong and traffic on the Hong Kong–Macau–Zhuhai Bridge were suspended.[63] All typhoon signals were cancelled by 21:00 MST (13:00 UTC).[64]
China
Around 347,000 people were evacuated in Hainan and Guangdong:[65] 150,000 in Guangdong;[66] another 197,000 in Hainan.[67][68]
Vietnam
In anticipation of Matmo's developments, the Haiphong City Civil Defense Command issued a directive on 2 October to local Civil Defense Commands and related agencies to closely monitor official warnings, forecasts, and the storm's progress. Vessel captains and owners were instructed to stay informed of the storm's current position, projected track, and changing characteristics, taking precautionary measures and adjusting operations to ensure safety. Response forces and rescue equipment were placed on standby for emergency deployment.[69] The US embassy in Hanoi issued an alert regarding Matmo.[70] In Ho Chi Minh City, in southern Vietnam, the local department of agriculture and environment instructed local authorities and relevant agencies to closely monitor bulletins and forecasts of the storm's developments, prevent and respond to the storm's impact including heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and flooding.[71]
Impact
Philippines
Flooding was reported in several parts of Luzon as Matmo brought heavy rain on 3 October.[35] A total of 21,340 people were evacuated in the province of Aurora.[72] A power transmission line between Santiago and Alicia was downed, affecting customers of ISELCO I in Isabela and IFELCO in Ifugao.[73] Flash flooding was also reported in Batangas, resulting in the evacuation of hundreds of families. About 55 families were evacuated in Ifugao after the gates of Magat Dam were opened.[74] A house was swept away by floodwaters in Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.[75] The NDRRMC said that 313,822 were affected by the storm, while 8,380 others were displaced. One house was destroyed while 26 others were damaged. Six infrastructures were damaged, with up to 111 road sections and 36 bridges rendered impassable. Power outages occurred in 61 areas, while 17 seaports were shut down, resulting in at least 176 passengers and 39 vessels stranded.[76] One person drowned after attempting to cross a swollen river in Cordon, Isabela.[77]
Hong Kong
According to the Airport Authority, 27 flights were anticipated to be cancelled as of 08:30 HKT on 5 October, and 81 were expected to be delayed. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car system was suspended from service.[78]
Although the typhoon did not directly hit Hong Kong, its outer rainbands brought heavy rains and strong to gale-force winds to the territory. Winds recorded on Cheung Chau Beach reached 82km/h (51mph) (10-minute sustained).[citation needed] The highest wind warning issued in Hong Kong was Strong Wind Signal No.3, which remained in force for 24 hours.[79] However, the HKO had not upgraded it to Gale or Storm Signal No.8, even though sustained gale-force winds were recorded in multiple areas.[where?]
Macau
Minor flooding as a result of storm surge was reported in low-lying areas along Porto Interior in the morning on 5 October.[80]
China
Zhanjiang, in Guangdong province, imposed a shutdown on schools, businesses, transport and public services in the evening on 4 October. From the morning on 5 October all highways were closed.[81]
In Haikou and Wenchang on Hainan, schools, workplaces, ferry routes and scenic spots were closed. All trains on the island province were suspended on 5 October. All flights to and from the Haikou Meilan International Airport were cancelled from the evening on 4 October.[81]
On 5 October, at Bohe Port in Dianbai District, Maoming, Guangdong Province, strong winds brought by Matmo tore off an iron roof, causing it to fall to the ground. According to the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Observatory, the centre of the typhoon made landfall on the eastern coast of Xuwen County, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, at approximately 14:50 local time on 5 October. At the time of landfall, the maximum sustained wind speed near the centre reached force 14 in the extended Beaufort scale (equivalent to 42m/s (150km/h; 94mph), classified as a strong typhoon), with a minimum central pressure of 965hPa (28.50inHg).[82]
Vietnam
Matmo brought heavy rains, causing widespread flooding in many provinces and cities, including the capital Hanoi. Heavy floods were reported in Thái Nguyên,[83]Lạng Sơn,[84]Cao Bằng and Bắc Ninh. On 9 October, flood levels in Cầu River exceeded the historical level of 2024 during Typhoon Yagi. Flood levels in Bằng River in Cao Bằng also exceeded the historical level of 1989.[83] In Lạng Sơn province, the That Khe 1 hydropower dam burst, flooding the town of Thất Khê.[85]
In total, three people died due to landslides (one in Cao Bang, two in Thanh Hoa), while four people went missing due to floods (three in Thai Nguyen and one in Thanh Hoa).[86]
Thailand
By 7 October, the remnants of Matmo exacerbated heavy rainfall in Thailand.[87] Flooding in the country killed 22 people and affected 370,000 others across 19 provinces, particularly in Uttaradit and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.[88]
↑ "SMG - Clima em Macau". Direcção dos Serviços Meteorológicos e Geofísicos. 3 October 2025. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
↑ "SMG - Clima em Macau". Direcção dos Serviços Meteorológicos e Geofísicos. 4 October 2025. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
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