Tropical Storm Podul has formed over waters north-northeast of Guam and is expected to approach the seas southeast of Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today.
The 11th Pacific storm of the year developed at 2am over waters about 2,660km east of Oluanpi (歐鑾鼻), Pingtung County — Taiwan's southernmost tip.
Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Administration
It is projected to move westward and could have its most significant impact on Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the CWA said.
The agency did not rule out the possibility of issuing a sea warning at that time.
According to the CWA's latest update, Podul is drifting west-northwest at 22kph, with sustained winds of 65kph and gusts reaching up to 90kph.
While a sea warning is likely, the agency said it is still too early to determine exactly when it might be issued.
The storm is forecast to linger over waters southeast of Taiwan on Tuesday, bringing rain to eastern parts of the country through Thursday, CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said.
The outlook for Podul's development remains uncertain, Tseng said, adding that a more accurate forecast would depend on its proximity to Taiwan or the Bashi Channel in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the CWA today issued a heat alert, warning that temperatures could reach 36°C or higher in parts of seven cities and counties across Taiwan.
According to the alert issued at 7:25am, highs of 36°C for three consecutive days are expected in parts of Taipei, New Taipei City, Tainan and Pingtung County.
Temperatures in parts of Kaohsiung and Yunlin County could also reach 36°C, the CWA said.
The mercury is expected to dip to 25°C to 27°C after sunset, the CWA Web site said.
Skies across the main island are to be partly sunny due to low atmospheric moisture, but afternoon showers are still likely in mountainous areas as well as Kaohsiung and Pingtung County, the agency said.
Intermittent rain is also possible in Taitung County and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春) in Pingtung County, the CWA added.
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