Tropical Storm Fung-Wong would likely strengthen into a typhoon later today as it continues moving westward across the Pacific before heading in Taiwan’s direction next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.
As of 8am, Fung-Wong was about 2,190km east-southeast of Cape Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, moving westward at 25kph and possibly accelerating to 31kph, CWA data showed.
The tropical storm is currently over waters east of the Philippines and still far from Taiwan, CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said, adding that it could likely strengthen into a typhoon later in the day.
Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Administration
It is forecast to reach the South China Sea on Tuesday next week and veer northward toward Taiwan at that time, Tseng said.
However, the angle at which it shifts direction remains uncertain, he added.
The CWA could not currently predict whether the storm would make landfall in Taiwan, pass through the Taiwan Strait or take a more westerly path, he said.
A sea warning could be issued on Monday next week followed by a possible land warning the next day, Tseng said, adding that Fung-Wong is expected to come closest to Taiwan between Wednesday and Thursday.
On Tuesday next week, the northern and eastern halves of Taiwan, as well as the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) and southern mountainous areas are expected to see widespread showers, with the possibility of heavy to torrential rain, he said.
Under the influence of northeasterly winds, Taiwan is expected to see sustained rainfall on Thursday, even as Fung-Wong makes its way to waters east of Taiwan, Tseng said.
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