Typhoon Bailong Approaches Taiwan, Sea Warning Expected Today; Heavy Rain Forecasted for Weekend

Typhoon Bailong, currently a moderate typhoon, is moving westwards and is expected to make its closest approach to Taiwan this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. As of 2 a.m. today, Bailong was located about 910 kilometers northeast of Taipei. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) anticipates issuing a sea typhoon warning this afternoon and potentially a land warning for Matsu on Saturday. The typhoon's path still has some uncertainty, and residents are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts. Meanwhile, Typhoon Chan-hom, a light typhoon, is far to the northeast of Taiwan and poses no threat to the island's weather. For today, Bailong's outer bands are expected to bring localized showers to western Taiwan and scattered showers to Yilan. Eastern Taiwan will be mostly cloudy to sunny. Heavy downpours are possible in central and southern areas early this morning. Temperatures are predicted to range from 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, with a chance of 36 degrees or higher in some areas. Strong ultraviolet radiation is expected around noon. Coastal areas in northern Taiwan, Pingtung, and Orchid Island may experience winds of level 6 or higher, with gusts up to level 8. Long waves are also possible along the coasts of Keelung, eastern Taiwan, Orchid Island, Green Island, and Matsu. Air quality is expected to be "good" in Hualien and Taitung, "moderate" in Hsinchu, Miaoli, and central Taiwan, and "orange alert" in northern, Yunlin-Chiayi, Kaohsiung-Pingtung, Matsu, Kinmen, and Penghu due to the influence of the typhoon and potential transboundary pollutants. From Saturday to Monday, the typhoon and its outer circulation will affect Taiwan. Northern Taiwan and central mountainous areas could see showers, with a risk of heavy to torrential rain, especially in the northern mountains. The probability of rain will also increase in central and southern Taiwan, Yilan, and eastern mountainous areas. On Sunday, central Taiwan and northeastern mountainous areas may experience heavy showers. By next week, a southwesterly wind flow is expected, bringing localized showers or thunderstorms to central and southern Taiwan.