Typhoon Saudel Strengthens, Taiwan Braces for Impact Later This Week

Typhoon Saudel has strengthened into a powerful typhoon, prompting the Central Weather Administration (CWA) to anticipate issuing a marine warning by Wednesday morning. The storm is currently moving northwest, guided by a high-pressure system, and is expected to approach Taiwan's northern waters by Wednesday. Forecasters predict Thursday and Friday will be the period of most intense impact for Taiwan, although the likelihood of the typhoon's center directly striking the island remains low.

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Saudel typhoon has strengthened into a strong typhoon as of 2 p.m. today and is continuing to move northwest under the guidance of the northern Pacific high pressure.

CWA senior forecaster Yeh Chih-chun stated that Saudel intensified into a strong typhoon by Tuesday afternoon. While it is currently moving northwest, it is projected to shift southwestward after Wednesday due to adjustments in atmospheric conditions. The storm's path will be closely monitored, as variations could influence whether it approaches Taiwan's northern or southern waters. The extent of the storm's wind field impacting Taiwan will depend on its final trajectory.

In the meantime, Taiwan is experiencing significant rainfall from a separate low-pressure system and the southwest monsoon. Southern and eastern regions have seen considerable downpours, with some areas in Hualien and Taitung exceeding 350 millimeters of rain by Tuesday afternoon, reaching 'extremely heavy rain' levels. While rainfall in the south is expected to ease slightly by Tuesday night, localized heavy showers remain possible. Looking ahead, Wednesday is anticipated to be the week's best weather day, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the south and afternoon thunderstorms elsewhere.

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The typhoon's center impacting Taiwan has a low probability, and the extent of the storm's wind field needs to be observed based on the path.

However, the influence of Typhoon Saudel's outer circulation is expected to bring long waves to coastal areas including Keelung, the east coast, Hengchun, and Matsu starting Tuesday. By Thursday night, northern Taiwan and central mountainous areas may experience heavy rain or typhoons. As the typhoon draws nearer, wind and rain are expected to increase across western Taiwan, as well as in Yilan and the mountainous regions of Hualien and Taitung. The typhoon is forecast to move away by Saturday, leaving behind scattered short-term showers in southern and central Taiwan, with afternoon thunderstorms expected in other areas.

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Starting tomorrow, affected by the outer circulation of Typhoon Saudel, pay attention to long waves along the coast of Keelung, eastern Taiwan, Hengchun, and Matsu.