[Big News] Pulasan Escalated 2 Alert Level Yellow, LIGHTNING RISK

Shanghai, grab your umbrellas (and maybe something heavier to hold onto), because Typhoon "Pulasan" has made its second landfall. And yes, it's here, delivering gusts, rain, and all the excitement you'd expect from a tropical storm. But before you start braving the elements, here's the lowdown on what's happening and how it'll impact you over the next few days.

Second Landfall: Welcome to Fengxian

Let's start with the big news: Typhoon "Pulasan" made its second landfall at 9:45pm on September 19 in Shanghai's Fengxian District. You might be asking "What is a second landfall". This refers to when a storm or typhoon makes landfall more than once after briefly moving back out over water. In the case of Typhoon "Pulasan," the storm first made landfall in Zhejiang's Zhoushan area and later re-entered the sea before making a second landfall along Shanghai's Fengxian coast.

At landfall, the storm was still holding onto tropical storm status with winds reaching up to 23 m/s (about level 9 on the Beaufort scale). That means it's still strong enough to mess with your commute, your windows, and your hanging undies on the balcony (better bring those inside).

If you're thinking, "Great, so it's done now, right?"– not quite. With "Pulasan" still swirling overhead, Shanghai's not out of the woods yet. It's expected to dump more rain and whip around some strong gusts well into the night.

Weather Alerts: Stay Inside – Lightning Alert Issued

As if the typhoon wasn't enough, a yellow lightning warning has been issued. The entire city is expected to experience lightning activity until tomorrow morning, September 20. Translation: there's more than just wind and rain to look out for tonight. Translation: Your metal umbrellas may put you at risk.

Along with that, the existing blue typhoon warning and yellow high tide warning for the Huangpu River remain in full force. The message is clear: don't let your guard down yet.

What's Happening Outside: Wind, Rain, and More Wind

With the storm's landfall in Fengxian, southern areas of Shanghai – like Pudong, Jinshan, and Chongming – are getting hit the hardest. Gusts in these districts are reaching 9-10 on the Beaufort scale, which means if you're in the upper floors of one of the towers in Lujiazui, expect it to get blustery, and be ready for some swaying.

Here's the breakdown:

- Pudong, Fengxian, Jinshan, and Chongming: Strong gusts of 9-10.

- Other parts of the city: Winds are a bit tamer but still significant, with gusts at around 7-8.

- Rain: Expect more of it throughout the night, especially in southern districts. Heavy rain (60-90mm) is in the forecast, with downpours potentially ramping up before the night's over.

Travel Woes: Slower Trains, Speed Limits, and Canceled Plans

Getting around? Not so fast. Due to the storm's impact, the following measures are in place to keep everyone safe on the roads and rails:

- Highway speed limits: Pudong, Fengxian, Jinshan, and Chongming areas have speed limits set at 60 km/h. For cross-river and cross-sea bridges (except the Yangtze River Bridge), limits are down to 40 km/h.

- Train suspensions: The Jinshan Railway suspended services at 9:30pm on the 19th. If you're heading toward Hangzhou or beyond, expect speed reductions on the Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed rail.

If you have plans to visit a park or scenic spot, you might want to check if they're still open. Spoiler: most are closed. The Jinshan City Beach and various parks in Yangpu District have shut their gates until further notice.

What About Tomorrow?

Good news? By tomorrow (September 20), the storm's grip on the city will start to loosen. You can expect the winds to calm down by morning, and the rain to taper off as the day goes on. By afternoon, things should be mostly cloudy with a few lingering showers. Temperatures will hover around 26-32°C, but the high humidity will make it feel sticky. Perfect for staying inside with some air conditioner and tea.

More Rain on the Horizon: The Weekend's Wet, Too

Before you pop the champagne, here's the catch. While Typhoon Pulasan might be fading, its aftermath is about to combine with a cold front, bringing another round of heavy rains on September 21-22. Expect heavy rain across Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta, especially overnight on the 21st into the morning of the 22nd. This could mean rainfall totals between 30-70 mm and hourly downpours as high as 30-50 mm.

The plus side? Cooler temps are on the way. By Sunday, the mercury will drop to a far more comfortable 22-30°C, giving you the perfect excuse to break out those autumn clothes (or at least get out of that endless summer sweat).

Final Tips: What You Should Do Right Now

- Stay indoors: Especially tonight. The rain, wind, and lightning are not to be trifled with.

- Secure your stuff: If you haven't already, make sure windows and doors are closed and secure. If you're in a high-rise, double-check your balcony situation.

- Avoid traveling: It's not the night to test out those new driving skills. Roads are slick, visibility is low, and conditions can change quickly.

On a historical note:

This marks the first time in recorded history that Shanghai has been hit by two typhoons in just three days. Typhoon "Pulasan" follows Typhoon Bebinca, which struck on September 16 as the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Shanghai in 75 years.

And that's the situation as it stands. Hang tight, keep safe, and look forward to some cooler weather once this storm blows over. Keep following City News Service for updates as the situation continues to develop.