TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The eastern and northern coastal regions of Taiwan, including Keelung, will experience intermittent showers on Thursday (Sept. 12) due to easterly winds, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署). More importantly, afternoon thunderstorms may occur in central and southern mountainous areas.
Meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) highlighted that Tropical Storm Bebinca will intensify into a typhoon by tonight, shifting north-northwest towards the Ryukyu Islands. He explained that Bebinca is expected to enter the East China Sea on Sept. 15 and make landfall in Zhejiang on the Sept. 16, posing a low threat to Taiwan.
Wu also noted that the latest European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model shows similar paths to the CWA's prediction. However, some paths come close to Taiwan, requiring close monitoring.
Meteorologist Lin Te-en (林得恩) added that Bebinca's speed has slowed, delaying its closest approach to Taiwan to between the afternoon of Sunday (Sept. 15) and the morning of Monday (Sept. 16).
Lin further mentioned that Bebinca's intensity will peak between Sept. 14 and 15, with its storm radius expanding. He stated that the storm's radius for gale-force winds will reach 220 kilometers, and for strong winds, it will expand to 80 kilometers.
Wu confirmed that moisture will move into Taiwan's eastern side today, causing localized rain in the north and east, with a chance of thunderstorms in central and southern regions.
Looking ahead, Wu indicated that Bebinca will move through the East China Sea and land in Zhejiang on Sunday and next Monday.
Northern Taiwan will experience scattered showers, with a slight temperature drop on Sunday, followed by a rebound on Monday.
For the Mid-Autumn Festival on Tuesday (Sept. 17) and Wednesday (Sept. 18), expect increased cloud cover and occasional rain in eastern Taiwan, while the west will be mostly clear with occasional afternoon showers in the mountains.