Typhoon Dolphin Nears Taiwan, Bringing Increased Rain Risk

Typhoon Dolphin is intensifying its approach toward Taiwan, prompting forecasts of increased rainfall and a prolonged period of impact. The latest trajectory indicates the storm may move slightly closer to the island's northern sea areas, raising concerns about potential heavy downpours.

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From Friday afternoon, the latest path of Dolphin shows that before Friday, it will continue to move west through the Ryukyu Islands and then enter the northern sea area of Taiwan, possibly turning northwestward.

Weather authorities predict the typhoon will be closest to Taiwan from Saturday through Monday. During this period, rainfall probability is expected to be high across the island. Northern regions and central mountainous areas are particularly vulnerable to localized heavy rain, with the possibility of torrential downpours in northern mountainous zones. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has indicated that a sea warning could be issued as early as Friday afternoon, with a possibility of a land warning also being considered.

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Compared to the previous report, it will be a little closer to Taiwan, and the rainfall may increase, and the impact time will also be extended.

Dolphin is currently maintaining its status as a medium typhoon, guided by a high-pressure system to its north. It is expected to continue moving westward toward the Ryukyu Islands before potentially turning northwestward as it nears Taiwan. However, environmental conditions are anticipated to hinder its development, possibly causing it to weaken to the lower end of the medium typhoon category or the upper end of a light typhoon.

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The typhoon may gradually weaken as the environment is not conducive to its development, weakening to the lower limit of a medium typhoon to the upper limit of a light typhoon.

Meanwhile, two other typhoons, Whale and Chan-hom, are active in the northwest Pacific. Whale is located northwest of the Philippines and is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression after making landfall, eventually merging with Dolphin's circulation. Chan-hom, which formed recently, is moving northeastward toward the waters east of Japan and is not expected to affect Taiwan's weather. The CWA also noted that temperatures will remain high, with highs reaching 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, potentially higher in specific areas, though daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan may slightly decrease over the weekend due to the typhoon's influence.

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Whale typhoon is located about 400 kilometers northwest of Manila. It will move eastward and weaken into a tropical depression after landing in the Philippines tomorrow, and will be integrated into Dolphin's circulation.