TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Co-May unleashed torrential downpours across northern Taiwan Tuesday (July 29), with Taipei City recording 88.5 millimeters (3.5 inches) of rainfall as the storm's outer bands swept the capital. Taiwan's weather bureau, the Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署), tracked the typhoon approximately 400 kilometers (249 miles) from Taiwan's coast as it churned northwest toward China's Zhejiang Province. The powerful storm system continues to drench the island with its expansive circulation pattern.
Heavy rains intensified across central and southern Taiwan as meteorologists warned of escalating precipitation Wednesday (July 30). Weather officials predicted localized downpours would pummel southern regions while intermittent showers continued to soak the island's midsection. Forecasters expect southwesterly winds to dominate Taiwan's weather patterns over the coming week, triggering afternoon thunderstorms across most areas and potentially dangerous flooding in central and southern districts.
Weather patterns will shift Thursday (July 31) through Saturday (Aug. 2) as southwesterly winds weaken, concentrating rainfall in central and southern Taiwan at reduced intensity. The temporary reprieve will end Sunday (Aug. 3) when strengthening southwesterly winds return, increasing atmospheric moisture and expanding heavy rainfall across affected regions. Meteorologists anticipate this weather cycle will continue throughout the extended forecast period, bringing alternating periods of intense and moderate precipitation.
Powerful wind gusts battered Taiwan's exposed coastal areas, with the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), Taoyuan to Miaoli counties, and offshore islands bearing the storm's impact. Dangerous sea conditions persisted with wave heights reaching 2-3 meters (6.6-9.8 feet) along Matsu (馬祖), Keelung's northern coastline, eastern Taiwan, southern regions, and the Penghu archipelago (澎湖). The treacherous maritime conditions included Orchid Island (蘭嶼) and Green Island (綠島) in the affected zones. ◼