TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) issued a warning on Wednesday (July 16) about an approaching tropical system. The weather disturbance threatens to drench Taiwan's eastern and southern regions with heavy rainfall this weekend. Wu projected that the system would likely traverse either the Bashi Channel, a strategic waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines, or the northern tip of Luzon Island before continuing westward into the South China Sea.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national weather agency, reported that powerful southwestern winds have triggered a heatwave across the island. Officials issued an orange-level heat advisory for Changhua County, where temperatures are expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F). Meanwhile, Keelung City, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, and Hualien County all received yellow warnings, signaling potentially dangerous temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F).
Wu predicted that Taiwan's sweltering conditions would persist until Thursday (July 17). He described a characteristic pattern of morning sunshine giving way to afternoon cloud cover across the island. The meteorologist cautioned residents about the likelihood of brief, isolated showers in southwestern regions during early morning hours. Mountainous areas face the prospect of thunderstorms that could potentially spread to adjacent lowland communities.
Beginning Friday (July 18), Wu explained, a monsoon trough — a zone of low atmospheric pressure that often triggers precipitation — will advance northward, bringing considerable moisture to the region. According to the meteorologist, European forecast models indicate a slight southward adjustment in the system's trajectory. American models, meanwhile, project the weather system will move through the Bashi Channel, significantly affecting Taiwan's weather patterns through the weekend.