Three tropical depressions yesterday intensified into tropical storms, with one likely to affect Taiwan as a typhoon, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.
The three storms, named Mitag, Ragasa and Neoguri, were designated as storms No. 17 to 19 for this year, the CWA said.
Projected routes indicate that Ragasa is most likely to affect Taiwan, it said.
Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Administration
As of 2am today, Ragasa was 1,370km east-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻) on the southernmost tip of Taiwan. It was moving west-northwest before turning northwest, slowing from 11kph to 6kph, the agency said.
A sea warning for Ragasa is unlikely before Sunday afternoon, but its outer rim is expected to start affecting Taiwan on Monday, the CWA said.
The storm is projected to be closest to Taiwan from Tuesday to early Wednesday, when it could intensify into a typhoon, bringing prolonged showers and thunderstorms to eastern and southeastern Taiwan, as well as the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), where extremely heavy rain is also possible, the CWA said.
Localized showers are also forecast in the north, northeast and south, and in mountainous areas in central Taiwan, with heavy rain possible in the northeast, Pingtung County and other mountainous areas, it said.
Forecast models for Ragasa diverge after it passes the Bashi Channel, and the system could strengthen further, underscoring the uncertaint
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