Tropical Storm Prapiroon (2024)

Severe Tropical Storm Prapiroon (Thai: พระพิรุณ), known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Butchoy was a compact tropical cyclone that made landfall in Hainan and Vietnam in late July 2024. It was the fourth named storm of the annual typhoon season. Prapiroon was first identified as an area of persistent convection southeast of Manila, Philippines, on July 15. Several days later, the low-pressure system crossed into the South China Sea. As the storm progressed northwestward along the southern edge of a mid-level subtropical ridge, it intensified into a tropical storm and was named Prapiroon by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) around 00:00 UTC on July 21. However, a few hours later, wind shear and dry air entrainment began to affect the storm. Despite this, deep convection continued to build around the center over the next six hours, resulting in a compact system as it approached Hainan. Prapiroon made landfall near Wanning, Hainan, with winds of 95 km/h (60 mph). After making landfall, the storm maintained its well-defined eye while moving across central Hainan, leading the JMA to upgrade it to a severe tropical storm at 00:00 UTC on July 23. On July 22, the JMA estimated peak 10-minute sustained winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 985 hPa (29.09 inHg). Despite having persistent deep convection over its center earlier, Prapiroon soon encountered high wind shear and a dry environment. By the same day, it made its second landfall in Quảng Ninh, Vietnam, becoming the first tropical cyclone to strike Vietnam in 640 days. The JMA indicated that the storm dissipated, marking the end of Prapiroon's time as a tropical cyclone on July 25.

Prapiroon and its precursor, Typhoon Gaemi, affected the southwest monsoon over the Philippines, leading to significant rainfall across parts of the archipelago as Prapiroon began to move away. In China, twelve counties and cities on the island received rainfall over 100 mm (3.9 in). The remnants of Prapiroon also caused heavy monsoonal rains in parts of Thailand and Cambodia. Overall, the tropical storm was responsible for 23 deaths, 9 missing, and US$32.9 million in damage.