Travel Alert July 2018: Tropical Storm Ampil to Affect Shanghai and Eastern China
If Shanghai and other areas of eastern China are in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to Tropical Storm Ampil, of which landfall is expected in eastern China south of Shanghai as early as later tonight, Saturday, July 21, 2018; but more likely tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, July 22, 2018.
Travel Alert July 2018: Tropical Storm Ampil to Affect Shanghai and Eastern China
Tropical Storm Ampil heads west northwest towards eastern mainland China. Taiwan, China, and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan are outlined in purple. Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
Maximum sustained winds of this strong tropical storm — which is currently centered approximately 245 miles northwest of Okinawa and is moving west northwest at approximately 16 miles per hour — are 50 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 62 miles per hour. This system could possibly strengthen to a weak Category 1 typhoon prior to landfall somewhere between Shanghai and Taizhou on the eastern coast of mainland China; but that scenario remains unlikely at this time.
Up to eight inches of precipitation is expected; but local areas can experience up to a foot of rainfall, which will result in significant flooding. A storm surge is also likely to occur along the coast.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to Shanghai and eastern China over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are seven airlines which have issued travel alerts — or are at least monitoring the storm — as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Shanghai and Okinawa for Thursday, July 19, 2018 through Monday, July 23, 2018; and Thursday, July 26, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for Shanghai for Saturday, July 21, 2018 through Monday, July 23, 2018; and Sunday, July 29, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Shanghai for Saturday, July 21, 2018 through Monday, July 23, 2018; and Sunday, July 29, 2018 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Cathay Pacific Airways has posted the cancellations of dozens of specific flights to and from airports in Okinawa and eastern China through Sunday, July 22, 2018; and travel waivers are being issued depending on origination and destination airports which are affected.
- Japan Airlines has posted that travel to and from Okinawa may experience flight delays, cancellation, or diversions through Sunday, July 22, 2018; but specific travel waiver information had not yet posted at the time this article was written.
- All Nippon Airways has posted that travel to and from Hangzhou and both airports which serve Shanghai may experience flight delay, cancellation, or diversions through Sunday, July 22, 2018; but specific travel waiver information had not yet posted at the time this article was written.
- Air Canada has issued a travel alert for Shanghai for Sunday, July 22, 2018.
Summary
At the time this article was written, none of the airlines based in China have posted any travel alerts or notices — but I intend to add them if or when they become available.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
