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Typhoon Matmo is expected to strengthen and threaten Taiwan and China during the middle of the week.

Thunderstorm activity will continue to flourish around Matmo, but the typhoon is still having trouble strengthening and developing an eye.

However, Matmo remains in a region conducive to tropical development. As a result, AccuWeather.com meteorologists still feel that significant strengthening is still likely through Tuesday, local time.

While Matmo will be across open water of the Philippines Sea through the beginning of the week and will not cross the Philippines, northern parts of the country will still feel some effects from the storm as it enhances a tropical southwesterly flow from the South China Sea.

This will lead to the threat for heavy rain and subsequent flooding across Mindoro and western Luzon.

Through Wednesday, highly populated areas such as Manila can see 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rain with isolated total in excess of 200 mm (8 inches) which will lead to the threat for flooding.

Rammasun brought damaging wind and flooding rainfall to this same area less than a week ago.

Because significant strengthening is expected as Matmo moves to the northwest towards Taiwan, residents will likely be dealing with a powerful cyclone as it nears the country.
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The eastern coast of Taiwan will see impacts from Matmo begin Tuesday with outer bands of squally showers and thunderstorms moving into eastern parts of the island. However, the greater impacts will not arrive until Tuesday night and Wednesday while the typhoon moves across or near the country.

Matmo will also bring rain and wind to the southern Ryukyu Islands of Japan Tuesday into Wednesday. However, impacts will be confined to the islands immediately to the east of Taiwan and will remain to the south of Okinawa which was impacted by Typhoon Neoguri early in July.

There remains the possibility that Mamto will pass just to the east and north of Taiwan. Regardless, damaging wind and flooding rainfall are still expected. The worst conditions will likely occur in northern and eastern parts of the island.

Once crossing near or over Taiwan, Matmo is expected to cross the Formosa Strait (Taiwan Strait) and will move into eastern China Wednesday night and through Thursday. Areas from northern Fujian to Zhejiang will be at the greatest risk during this time.

Impacts from Matmo will be well to the north of southern China and northern Vietnam that where recently impacted by Rammasun just days ago.