Strong Typhoon Gaemi hits Taiwan, causing the entire island to be on typhoon alert. Former Director of the Central Weather Bureau (predecessor of the CMA), Zheng Mingdian, stated today (24th) that there is a strong convective rain band on the southwest side of Taiwan, formed by the outer circulation of Typhoon Gaemi and the convergence zone of the southwest monsoon. Similar rain bands, like the one affecting the southern mountainous areas in the past, were observed during Typhoon Morakot.
The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan announced today that the center of the powerful Typhoon Gaemi (internationally named GAEMI) was located at 24.0 degrees north latitude and 122.9 degrees east longitude at noon, approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Yilan, moving towards the northwest at a speed of 13 to 18 kilometers per hour.
In a Facebook post, Zheng Mingdian mentioned that there is a relatively strong wind circulation band surrounding the typhoon, serving as a “monsoon low-pressure” wind field. This large-scale circulation is already encircling Taiwan, with the typhoon situated on the eastern side of this larger circulation, resulting in a current northward movement trend that is expected to gradually shift towards the west.
Furthermore, Zheng Mingdian explained that the outer circulation is affected by Taiwan’s topography, with a weak wind wake zone on the flatlands of the south. On the outer edge (west side) of this wake zone, the outer circulation is influenced by terrain, leading to a slight enhancement of convection.
He noted that extending from the southwest side of Taiwan through the Bashi Channel, there is an extremely active convective rain band, formed by the outer circulation of the typhoon and the southwest monsoon (or southwest airflow) convergence zone. Similarly to the rain band seen during Typhoon Morakot years ago, it continues to impact the southern mountainous regions.
Regarding the dynamic movement of the powerful typhoon, the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan stated that based on the latest data, Typhoon Gaemi has intensified into a strong typhoon. It is currently positioned southeast of Yilan and moving towards the northwest, with its destructive wind circle encompassing Taiwan, posing a threat to various regions of Taiwan as well as Penghu, Matsu, and Kinmen, where strong winds and heavy rain persist.
Areas under land alert: all regions of Taiwan (including Green Island, Orchid Island) as well as Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu should be on high alert and prepared for strong winds and heavy rain. Areas under sea alert: vessels navigating and operating in the waters near Taiwan and the Bashi Channel should exercise caution. It is important to note that due to the terrain’s influence, the typhoon’s path may deviate or veer before landfall. It is expected that from this evening until the early hours of the 25th, Yilan and northeastern Hualien will be subject to severe winds and heavy rainfall near the typhoon’s center, so caution is advised.
The Central Weather Bureau issued a special report on strong winds on land: due to the typhoon’s impact, coastal areas, open areas, and outlying islands of Taiwan will experience significantly strong winds. Coastal and open areas of Yilan and Hualien will have gusts of 12 to 14 on the Beaufort scale, while western coastal and open areas, the northern coast of Keelung, the Hengchun Peninsula, Penghu, Lanyu, and Green Island will experience gusts of 10 to 11. Coastal and open areas of Taitung, Taipei City, and Matsu will have gusts of 9 to 10, and strong gusts of 8 to 9 are expected in Chiayi City, Nantou, and Kinmen.
As for high temperature information in Taiwan, the Central Weather Bureau indicated that due to the sinking effect of the outer circulation of the typhoon, Kinmen County is under a yellow warning signal today. From midnight on the 23rd to noon on the 24th, significant rainfall amounts were recorded as follows: Taipingshan, Yilan County – 408.0 millimeters, Nanhuchinggu, Taichung City – 309.0 millimeters, Lala Mountain, Taoyuan City – 278.5 millimeters, Heping Forest Road, Hualien County – 228.0 millimeters, and Fushan Botanical Garden, New Taipei City – 217.0 millimeters; notable areas with strong gusts included Lanyu at level 11 and Pengjia Islet at level 10.