Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau announced this morning (August 30) that a mild typhoon named “Blue Lake” has formed and is moving towards Vietnam, expected to make landfall in Vietnam tonight. Meteorological experts have pointed out that there are other tropical systems expected to be active in the far eastern seas of Taiwan next week, while the northwest Pacific region remains prone to typhoon activity.
As of 8 a.m. today, Typhoon “Blue Lake” was located at 17.8 degrees north latitude and 107.9 degrees east longitude, moving west at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. The central pressure of the typhoon is 995 hectopascals, with maximum sustained wind speeds near the center reaching 18 meters per second and maximum instantaneous gusts of 25 meters per second. The radius of strong winds extending outwards is 60 kilometers on all sides (northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast).
According to forecaster Zhang Chengchuan from the Central Weather Bureau, Typhoon “Blue Lake” is currently moving towards Vietnam and is not expected to have any impact on Taiwan, with landfall in Vietnam expected tonight.
Associate Professor Wu Derong from the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Central University of Taiwan mentioned on a weather forecast program that the latest European (ECMWF) model simulations from the evening of the 29th showed mostly fair to partly cloudy weather across the country today, with hot temperatures and dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation especially in the north where temperatures could reach 38 degrees Celsius. Some parts of the Hengchun Peninsula and the eastern region may experience brief showers, and there might be localized showers or thunderstorms in mountainous areas in the afternoon.
Wu Derong added that according to the latest European model simulations, from August 31 to September 2, there will be a slight increase in moisture in southern regions with partly cloudy skies prevailing across the country, while the northern part of Taiwan remains relatively hot. The eastern region and Pingtung may experience occasional brief showers, with a chance of localized showers or thunderstorms in mountainous areas in the afternoon, possibly extending to some low-lying areas, warning of potential heavy localized thunderstorms.
Looking ahead to September 3-5, clear to partly cloudy skies are expected with hot temperatures, once again accompanied by dangerous levels of UV radiation around noon. The Hengchun Peninsula and eastern Taiwan may have sporadic brief showers while localized showers or thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, mainly confined to mountainous areas, yet precaution is needed for potential localized heavy thunderstorms.
Wu further mentioned that the latest European ensemble model simulations indicated that there will be other tropical systems in action in the far eastern seas of Taiwan next week, emphasizing that the northwest Pacific region remains in a period where typhoons are likely to develop.