One of three tropical depressions in the Pacific strengthened into a typhoon yesterday afternoon, while two others are expected to become typhoons by today, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lee Ming-hsiang (李名翔) said yesterday.
The outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 20, now Typhoon Mitag, has brought light rain to Hualien, Taitung and areas in the south, Lee said, adding that as of 2pm yesterday, Mitag was moving west-northwest at 16kph, but is not expected to directly affect Taiwan.
It was possible that Tropical Depression No. 21 would become a typhoon as soon as last night, he said.
Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Administration
It was moving in a northwesterly direction at 18kph as of 2pm yesterday and is expected to pass through the Bashi Channel next week, he said, adding that it has the potential to become a moderate typhoon.
Lee said he expects the outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 21 to affect Taiwan by Monday.
It is expected to be the closest to Taiwan on Tuesday, so the nation should be prepared for inclement weather on Wednesday and Thursday, he said, adding that eastern Taiwan and Pingtung County would be most affected.
The path of the system is still uncertain and should be closely monitored, Lee said.
Tropical Depression No. 22, as of 2pm yesterday, was moving westward at 29kph and is expected to move toward southeastern Japan, Lee said, adding that it would not affect Taiwan significantly.
Meanwhile, CWA statistics from 1958 to last year showed that an average of 25 to 27 typhoons formed in the northwest Pacific and the South China seas annually, most of which occurred between July and October.
These typhoons accounted for 70 percent of all typhoons formed each year, the agency said.
On average, one typhoon is formed annually between April and May, and two per month starting in June, the data showed.
July to October were peak typhoon formation months, with an average of 5.39 typhoons formed in August and 5.04 in September, it said.
About four typhoons form per month in July and October, it added.
The statistics reflect the average rate over a long period and should not be taken to represent the number of typhoons formed every year, the agency said, adding that historically, 1964 had the most typhoons at 37, while 2010 had the fewest at 14.
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