Typhoon Dolphin approaches Taiwan, bringing strong winds and heavy rain

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration issued its second sea typhoon warning for Typhoon Dolphin on Friday evening, signaling an approaching threat. The agency cautioned that winds and rain will gradually intensify starting Saturday, with the peak expected over the weekend. Residents, particularly in mountainous areas of central and northern Taiwan, are bracing for potentially heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.

According to forecaster Zhu Meilin, Typhoon Dolphin maintained its status as a moderate typhoon as of Friday evening. However, its seven-day wind radius remained at 280 kilometers, and it was steadily approaching Taiwan's northern waters. The typhoon is projected to make its closest approach to Taiwan on Saturday and Sunday. During this period, northern and central mountainous areas can expect showers or localized thunderstorms, with the possibility of heavy to torrential downpours. The agency specifically highlighted that mountainous areas north of Taichung could experience rainfall exceeding the torrential level.

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The typhoon is still maintaining its moderate typhoon intensity, but the seven-day wind radius is still 280 kilometers and is gradually approaching Taiwan's northern waters.

Beyond the northern and central regions, northeastern mountainous areas are also forecast to receive showers or localized thunderstorms, with the potential for heavy downpours. Other areas across Taiwan, including the central, southern, and northeastern mountains, may experience scattered, brief showers or thunderstorms. The forecast indicates that the intensity of the rain will begin to subside on Monday, August 10. However, a shift to a southwesterly wind pattern is expected, bringing localized brief showers to western and southeastern mountainous areas, with heavier rain possible in southern mountainous regions for several days.

As of 5 p.m. on Friday, Typhoon Dolphin's center was located at approximately 680 kilometers east-northeast of Taipei. It was moving westward at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour, with a central atmospheric pressure of 950 millibars. The maximum sustained wind speed near the center was 40 meters per second, equivalent to a Category 13 storm. The seven-day wind radius extended to 280 kilometers, and the ten-day wind radius was 90 kilometers.

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Mountainous areas north of Taichung have the potential for localized torrential rain or above.