Typhoon Bawei to make landfall early tomorrow; three counties face most severe impact

Typhoon Bawei, though downgraded from a super typhoon to a severe tropical storm, is poised to make landfall early tomorrow, with its center located approximately 630 kilometers east of Eluanbi. The storm is moving northwest at 27 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 43 m/s, equivalent to a Category 14 typhoon. Its considerable wind field extends to a radius of 380 kilometers for force-seven winds and 180 kilometers for force-ten winds.

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The storm's center is about 630 kilometers east of Eluanbi, accelerating slightly and moving northwest at 27 kph. Maximum sustained winds near the center are 43 m/s, equivalent to force 14 winds, with a force-seven average wind radius of 380 kilometers and a force-ten average wind radius of 180 kilometers.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecasts that the landfall will likely occur in the northeastern coast of New Taipei City or northern Hualien. While the storm has weakened, its substantial size means significant rainfall and strong winds are expected across Taiwan. The CWA's weather forecast center chief, Lin Po-tung, noted that aircraft reconnaissance confirmed the storm's parameters. Despite the path being somewhat northerly and the storm's radius potentially shrinking as it approaches Taiwan, the entire island is not expected to be enveloped, but rainfall will be noticeable everywhere.

Coastal areas are already experiencing strong waves, with the east coast seeing waves up to 9 meters high. Other regions are facing 2 to 4-meter waves and long swells, conditions expected to persist until tomorrow evening. The northern coast, northern Taiwan Strait, and the eastern sea areas could see waves of 4 to 7 meters, with waves exceeding 10 meters near the typhoon's center.

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Although Bawei has weakened from a super typhoon to a severe tropical storm compared to yesterday, it is still a very large typhoon!

Rainfall is expected to be heavy, particularly in northern Taiwan, Yilan, and mountainous areas of Taichung, where torrential rain is possible. Central and southern Taiwan, along with mountainous areas of Hualien and Taitung, may also experience localized heavy downpours. Strong gusts of wind, currently reaching 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale in the Taiwan Strait, eastern, and northern regions, and locally 9 to 10 in Miaoli, Taichung, and Changhua, are predicted to intensify. Coastal areas could see 9 to 10-grade gusts tonight, with inland areas experiencing 7 to 8-grade gusts. By tomorrow daytime, these strong gusts may extend further inland, affecting areas like Taipei and Pingtung.

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The path is somewhat to the north, and the storm's wind field will slightly shrink as it approaches Taiwan. Therefore, it is estimated that it will not cover the entire island, but the rainfall will be significant everywhere.

Authorities anticipate lifting the land warning as early as Sunday morning, as the typhoon's center is projected to be near the Chinese coast. However, the exact timing remains uncertain and depends on the storm's continued weakening and reduction in its wind field radius. The land warning currently includes the Matsu Islands, which may still be within the storm's range when the main island of Taiwan is clear.

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The waves have significantly increased since yesterday, with the east coast already experiencing waves of nearly 9 meters. Other areas are also seeing waves of 2 to 4 meters and long swells.