TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A tropical storm developing near Guam could potentially threaten Taiwan by early July, meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) warned on Tuesday (June 24). While simulation models show no immediate danger to the island within the next eight days, Wu emphasized that the risk increases significantly by July 3 or 4, prompting calls for vigilant monitoring of the system's evolution and path.
In his daily weather column for the National Central University (NCU, 中央大學), Wu predicted that Taiwan would bask in sunshine and sweltering temperatures through Thursday, with clouds gathering in the afternoons. The meteorologist cautioned that mountainous regions could experience isolated thunderstorms or brief downpours during peak heating hours. In response to the heat wave, Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) has activated its warning system, issuing more severe orange alerts for New Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, and Hualien County, while Taipei City, Changhua County, Tainan City, and Pingtung County remain under yellow alerts.
The scorching conditions will persist from Thursday (June 26) through July 1, Wu predicted, with scattered afternoon showers providing only temporary relief from the heat. Weather patterns for July 2 and 3 remain uncertain, contingent upon the development of tropical systems in the region. Separately, Wu reported that Typhoon Champa was tracking northwest at 20 kilometers per hour as of 2 a.m. Tuesday, positioned at 28.6 degrees north latitude and 142.1 degrees east longitude. The system is expected to curve northward toward Japan before weakening to a tropical depression and veering northeast without making significant landfall. ◼