Latest forecast tracks are suggesting a chance of a direct hit with Taiwan.

As recent as a few hours ago there was strong conformity for a track going comfortably north of Taiwan but something has changed

What's more, it could be massive - had a long run-up with high sea temps - that's a recipe for a monster storm

Yeah it looks like we'll have to put our trip to Haulien on hold.

As it turned out, Maria stayed north and Taiwan seems to have gotten through relatively unscathed - but look out China!

It's pretty rare for the coast of China to get clobbered by a full-scale typhoon, but that's exactly what's about to happen in the next several hours. We can expect major devastation to result over a large swathe of China's mid-east coast-line - maybe even an unprecedented level.

Maria has actually curved around the tip of Taiwan then ducked south again - I'd wager that's the biggest typhoon ever to hit what would normally be a protected area in China

The chart is the rainfall - I assume since midnight this morning - only shows up to 250 mil - so not clear how much they have gotten so far - but gives you an idea of the hardest hit area

That's highly unusual and it sure wasn't forecast. We didn't get a thing out of this storm. I was hoping that it might at least cool us off a bit but not at all. I'd forgotten how harsh these Taiwan summers can be. I think I prefer Japan summers and Taiwan winters.

Have heard almost no news out of China, though it must have done some serious damage - saw some pics from Matsu that looked like it played havoc there

There was a Foehn Wind in Taidong on the morning after Maria passed, temp getting to around 36