TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces a dangerous one-two punch this week as extreme heat blankets the island through Wednesday. Super Typhoon Bavi could then bring severe wind and rain to northern regions by Friday, forecasters warn.
The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) issued orange heat alerts Tuesday (July 7) for nine cities and counties. The agency warned of temperatures reaching 38°C (100.4°F) in Tainan on Wednesday and consecutive days above 36°C (96.8°F) across much of western Taiwan and Hualien. Yellow alerts were in effect for Taipei City, Taichung City and Yilan County.
The agency urged residents to stay hydrated and avoid midday outdoor activities, particularly the elderly, children and those with chronic conditions.
On Wednesday, temperatures are forecast to reach 38°C (100.4°F) in Tainan. Highs of 32 to 36°C (89.6 to 96.8°F) are expected across western Taiwan, with 31 to 33°C (87.8 to 91.4°F) in eastern regions. Afternoon thundershowers are expected in northern areas, Nantou, Chiayi and other mountain regions.
The storm's exact path remains uncertain—it could pass near Japan's Miyako Island to the north or make landfall in eastern Taiwan. The most likely scenario places the center near or over northern Taiwan by Friday evening through Saturday.
Meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) of the Meteorological Application and Development Foundation (氣象應用推廣基金會) warned that the approaching storm "is not to be taken lightly" and urged early preparations.
Private forecaster WeatherRisk (天氣風險) said the typhoon's wind radius could cover all of northern Taiwan during its closest approach.
The weather administration forecast heavy to torrential rain for northern and northeastern Taiwan and central mountain areas from Friday through Saturday. Mountain areas from Taichung northward could see "torrential" or greater rainfall.
Wave heights near the typhoon's center could exceed 10 meters (33 feet). Long swells will begin affecting Taiwan's eastern coasts, including Green Island and Orchid Island, the Hengchun Peninsula and Matsu, starting Wednesday.
No formal typhoon warning had been issued as of Tuesday evening, though sea and land warnings may be issued starting Thursday.
By Thursday, northeasterly winds will bring increased moisture and scattered showers to areas north of Taoyuan and to Yilan. Foehn winds — hot, dry gusts that descend from mountains—may develop in Kinmen and the Hualien-Taitung Valley on Friday.
The typhoon is expected to move away from Taiwan by Sunday, though residual moisture will keep conditions unsettled through mid-week. Residents are urged to monitor official updates from the Central Weather Administration as conditions evolve. ◼