Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau announced today (24th) that Tropical Storm Surigae is expected to strengthen into a typhoon by the 25th and further intensify into a mid-level typhoon by the 26th before gradually turning north. There is a higher possibility of it moving northward at a certain distance east of Taiwan and heading towards Japan over the weekend.
According to the Central Weather Bureau, as of 8 a.m. on the 24th, the center of the storm was located at 18.1 degrees north latitude and 134.6 degrees east longitude, moving with a speed of 27 kilometers per hour towards the northwest. The central pressure was 998 hectopascals, with maximum sustained winds near the center reaching 20 meters per second and maximum gusts of up to 28 meters per second. The radius of strong winds covers an area of 100 kilometers (120 kilometers to the northwest, 120 kilometers to the northeast, 70 kilometers to the southwest, and 70 kilometers to the southeast).
The bureau mentioned on Facebook that the tropical depression TD-29, originally located east of the Philippines, has developed into Tropical Storm Surigae (SURIGAE) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Guided by the Pacific high-pressure system, the storm is forecasted to move steadily northwestward before gradually turning northeastward by the 26th, favoring its development along the way and leading to increased intensity and a slightly larger wind radius.
This weekend through early next week, Typhoon Surigae is expected to approach the waters near Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan. Travelers planning trips to Japan are advised to pay attention to updates on the typhoon and flight information.
Starting from the 25th through the 28th, Taiwan celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teacher’s Day, with the 25th being the Mid-Autumn Festival. During this time, a significant astronomical tide will occur from the 26th to the 30th along the western coast (from New Taipei to Changhua) and coastal areas near the Penghu Islands—which attendees should be particularly cautious about. The bureau warns that during this period, coastal areas nationwide will experience higher tides, even outside the mentioned regions, leading to potential flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
Meteorologist Zheng Jieren from the Central News Agency mentioned that there is a possibility of Typhoon Surigae being upgraded to a mid-level typhoon on the 25th and 26th, with a higher chance of a northern trajectory at a certain distance east of Taiwan, decreasing the likelihood of direct impact on Taiwan.
Today and the 25th are expected to be mostly cloudy to sunny across Taiwan, with occasional brief showers in the southern mountainous areas in the afternoon. Sporadic showers are also expected in the southern areas below Chiayi and other mountainous regions. Furthermore, sporadic showers may occur in Keelung’s northern coast, Greater Taipei, the eastern region, and the Hengchun Peninsula.
Zheng Jieren further noted that the weather is forecasted to remain mostly cloudy to sunny until the 27th, with a shift to a northerly wind pattern from the 28th onwards, bringing sporadic showers to areas north of Taoyuan and in Yilan, while other regions remain mostly cloudy to sunny with sporadic or localized afternoon showers in the mountainous areas.
In terms of temperatures, Zheng Jieren mentioned that there will not be significant fluctuations in temperatures over the next week, although it may be slightly warmer during the holiday period, with temperatures ranging from 31 to 34 degrees Celsius in the western region and 28 to 32 degrees Celsius in the east. He also pointed out that temperatures in the northern region and Yilan may drop by 1 to 2 degrees on the 28th and 29th, with lows ranging from 22 to 26 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in other areas will range from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius.