Alright, Shanghai, it's time to gear up for some serious wet and windy weather. Typhoon Kong-Rey, the 21st typhoon of the year, is doing its thing in the Pacific and heading our way and it is slated to bring the heaviest rainfall to Shanghai since 1981.

Here is What We Know so Far

Typhoon Kong-Rey has officially strengthened into a super typhoon (cue the dramatic music) and is moving northwest toward Taiwan. It's expected to make landfall around Thursday afternoon, and it'll be affecting Shanghai shortly after. Leaving work early on Thursday would be prudent to avoid difficulty getting transportation once the rain starts.

Expect heavy, heavy rainfall through to Friday, with parts of Shanghai possibly seeing upwards of 280mm of rain. Expect flooding and disruptions to transportation.

So, if you're new to Shanghai, yes, your WeChat feed is going to be full of jokes about needing boats to get to work. And it might not be that far off.

Gale Force Winds

The wind isn't messing around either. By Thursday night, you'll want to avoid rooftops or any windy spots by the water. Gusts will be reaching 8-9 levels on land (which, let's just say, isn't great for keeping umbrellas in one piece). Out by Yangshan Port, gusts might reach 10-11. So if you're planning a romantic stroll along the coast… maybe reschedule.

Transportation:

So far, there have been no announcements regarding changes to Shanghai's transportation infrastructure. However, given the vast amounts of rain coming in on Friday, there might be the possibility of flood, which affects metro and highway closures. So keep an eye on City News Service, we'll provide those announcements as they come.

Public Institutions, Schools, etc.:

Same thing here. So far, no announcements have been made regarding school closures, and other public institutions. Stay tuned however.

Recommendations:

What's this mean for you, lovely people of Shanghai?

1. First, stock up on water, food, and whatever essentials you'll need for a cozy couple of days inside. It is especially prudent if school gets canceled, so DO YOUR SUPERMARKET / SAM'S CLUBS DELIVERIES TODAY.
   
2. Make sure you have waterproof shoes, extra socks, and a sturdy umbrella. So far, we're not seeing lightning storms, so umbrella's should be good and won't get you zapped.
3. The government has made an announcement to secure any outdoor items that could fly off in the wind – patio chairs, plants, drying laundry – and to stay away from poorly constructed buildings.
4. High-tides are expected to bring flooding if you live near rivers or on the coast.

Travel Plans? Maybe Don't.

Expect delays. Roads will flood, cabs will be scarce, and bus routes might get funky. If you're planning to fly out or train anywhere on Thursday or Friday, make sure to check for cancellations. Give yourself way more time than usual for anyone heading to or from Pudong Airport. Or better yet, reconsider if you really need to travel right now – getting stuck in traffic on an elevated highway with 70mm/hour rain is no one's idea of a good time.