TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) Taiwan's national meteorological agency reported that Tropical Storm Francisco will deliver intermittent showers and thunderstorms to northern Taiwan Thursday (July 24). The remainder of the island faces increased cloud cover with possible isolated afternoon thunderstorms as the storm's outer circulation bands sweep across the region. This volatile weather pattern reflects Francisco's growing influence over Taiwan's atmospheric conditions.
Evening hours will bring intensified rainfall across northern regions, with meteorologists warning of potential localized heavy downpours. Northern Taiwan will experience temperatures ranging from 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 90°F), while other areas face highs between 31 and 34 degrees Celsius (88 to 93°F). Central Taiwan's Taichung and Changhua counties may endure sweltering temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius (96°F), with overnight lows generally hovering between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius (77 to 81°F).
Taiwan's offshore archipelagos of Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu will experience partly cloudy conditions with temperatures ranging from 27 to 31 degrees Celsius (81 to 88°F). Powerful winds with gusts exceeding 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph) threaten areas from northern Taoyuan to southern Tainan, eastern Taitung, the Hengchun Peninsula, and various offshore territories. Coastal regions, particularly Keelung's northern shores and eastern coastlines, face dangerous long-wave conditions that could impact maritime activities and shoreline safety.
The convergence with annual astronomical high tides threatens southern coastal cities including Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung with potential seawater intrusion during peak tide periods. Francisco's center was located 710 kilometers (441 miles) southeast of Taipei at 2 a.m., tracking northwest toward northeastern Taiwan's waters through tomorrow evening. Simultaneously, Tropical Depression TD11 intensified into Typhoon Co-may overnight, positioned 630 kilometers (391 miles) south-southwest of Taiwan's southernmost point Eluanbi (鵝鑾鼻) at 2 a.m. ◼