TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Ragasa (樺加沙) began moving away from Taiwan at 2 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 23), triggering expectations for gradual typhoon warning cancellations throughout the day. The storm's center tracked at latitude 19.6 degrees north and longitude 119.3 degrees east, traveling west-northwest at 17 kph (10.6 mph). Weather officials anticipate conditions will improve as the typhoon continues its westward trajectory away from the island.
Weather analyst Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇) from Weatherrisk Explore Inc. (天氣風險管理開發) warned Ragasa's peripheral circulation will continue affecting Taiwan with southeasterly moisture despite the typhoon's departure. The system will generate strong gusts ranging from force 8 to 10 across coastal Miaoli to Greater Taipei Basin, the north coast, northeast corner, and Yilan throughout Tuesday. Conditions should ease by evening as the storm moves further west.
The Hualien-Taitung region and Hengchun (恆春) Peninsula will experience the most severe impact, facing heavy to torrential rainfall on Tuesday. Yilan, Greater Taipei, Taoyuan, and northern mountainous areas will also receive substantial precipitation from the storm system. Southern regions may encounter localized heavy rain due to mountain moisture, while the plains south of Hsinchu to central Taiwan expect only brief showers.
Wu noted that the wind direction had shifted southeasterly, relocating the strong wind zone to Taiwan's northern and southern extremes. Southern areas, including Hualien to Taitung, Hengchun Peninsula, Green Island (綠島), and Orchid Island (蘭嶼) may experience gusts of force 8 to 10 or higher during Tuesday. The dangerous winds should subside by nightfall as Ragasa continues moving away from Taiwan. ◼