TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's weather officials issued urgent warnings Thursday (Aug. 21) as dangerous atmospheric conditions threaten to unleash severe thunderstorms across mountainous regions and plains. Meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) cited European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts simulations showing rapidly destabilizing weather patterns. The forecasts predict potentially destructive storm systems developing throughout Taiwan's elevated terrain and select lowland areas.
Wu urged residents to prepare for dangerous weather while tracking Tropical Depression TD15's transformation into Typhoon Lingling (玲玲). The meteorologist emphasized that Lingling will track toward Japan without directly threatening Taiwan's coastline. Simultaneously, forecasters monitor another developing tropical system churning east of the Philippines, adding complexity to regional weather patterns.
European forecasting models predict scorching temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius (100.4°F) from Friday (Aug. 22) through Sunday (Aug. 24), Wu explained. Mountain regions face afternoon thunderstorm risks during this sweltering period. Monday (Aug. 25) through Wednesday (Aug. 27) will maintain oppressive heat while southern moisture triggers sporadic rainfall in Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung counties.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) charts reveal a weakening tropical depression drifting eastward near Kyushu, Japan, delivering heavy rainfall to Japanese territories. American Global Ensemble Forecast System models suggest the Philippine disturbance will fail to achieve typhoon status due to destructive vertical wind shear. European simulations confirm this system remains weak, eliminating immediate threats to Taiwan's security.