TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Dolphin (白海豚) is projected to skim within 30 kilometers (19 miles) of Taiwan's northern coastline on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 8-9), coinciding with the island's Father's Day weekend. The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) warned Friday (Aug. 7) that torrential rain, dangerous waves up to 6 meters (20 feet), and extreme heat from foehn winds will significantly disrupt holiday plans even if the storm does not make landfall.
As of 8 a.m., the moderate typhoon was positioned approximately 710 kilometers (441 miles) east-northeast of Taipei, moving westward at 13 km/h (8 mph). CWA forecaster Wu Wan-hua (伍婉華) said the agency expects to issue a sea warning at 2:30 p.m. Friday if the storm's trajectory holds.
"Regardless of whether a land warning is issued for the main island, the wind, waves, and significant rainfall the typhoon brings will still occur," Wu said during a morning news briefing. "Everyone still needs to be very careful."
Here is what residents and travelers need to know about the storm's projected impacts for the holiday weekend.
The typhoon center is expected to be closest to Taiwan on Saturday evening through Sunday morning, passing approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from northern coastal areas. Wu noted that the storm circle "is really quite close to the northern coastal land."
Significant uncertainty remains in the forecast, as small variations in atmospheric steering forces could cause the typhoon to shift slightly north or south. Matsu, an outlying island group near mainland China, could receive a land warning as early as Saturday evening.
Northern Taiwan and central mountain areas face the most significant rainfall risk. Areas north of Taichung, particularly mountain regions, could see torrential rain reaching "heavy rain" (豪雨) levels — accumulations exceeding 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) in 24 hours.
What About Waves and Heat?
Monitoring stations at Pengjia Islet (彭佳嶼), Longdong (龍洞), and Su'ao (蘇澳) have recorded waves between 2 and 6 meters (6.6 to 20 feet).
Wu said waves in the northern and northeastern sea areas could reach 6 meters or higher on Saturday and Sunday. Long swells are expected through Aug. 10 along the Keelung north coast, eastern Taiwan including Green Island (綠島) and Orchid Island (蘭嶼), and Matsu.
In a meteorological paradox, eastern Taiwan faces extreme heat warnings even as the typhoon approaches. The storm's circulation creates foehn wind conditions on the island's leeward eastern side, where descending air compresses and heats rapidly. Foehn winds occur when moist air rises over mountains, loses moisture as precipitation on the windward side, then descends on the leeward side as dry, rapidly warming air — a phenomenon that can push temperatures significantly above surrounding areas.
The CWA issued an orange-level heat alert for Yilan County, warning of potential temperatures reaching 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. Eight other counties — Taipei, New Taipei, Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, Pingtung, Hualien, and Taitung — face warnings for sustained 36°C (96.8°F) heat.
What Should Residents Do?
"It's summer vacation right now, and many activities are being planned, but the typhoon is approaching," Wu said. "Before engaging in activities, you must pay close attention to typhoon information and stay safe."
The CWA has issued strong wind advisories for coastal areas. Regions from Hsinchu northward, the entire eastern coast, and Kaohsiung and Pingtung face yellow-level warnings for winds of Beaufort force 6 (39-49 km/h or 24-31 mph) with gusts reaching force 8 (62-74 km/h or 39-46 mph).
A second typhoon, Chan-hom (昌鴻), is active in the western Pacific but poses no threat to Taiwan, approximately 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) eastward.
After Dolphin passes Taiwan and moves toward mainland China, expected by Monday (Aug. 10), the island's wind patterns will shift to southwesterly flow, bringing continued afternoon thunderstorms to central and southern Taiwan for several days.
Details on potential transportation disruptions and government emergency preparations were not immediately available. ◼
>>> TYPHOON ADVISORY: A typhoon is approaching or affecting Taiwan. Before arrival: Secure loose objects, stockpile 3 days of emergency supplies, charge devices, and familiarize yourself with your evacuation route. During a typhoon: Stay indoors, away from windows. Do not visit beaches, harbors, or coastal areas for wave-watching. Avoid rivers and low-lying areas. Be alert for strong winds, heavy rainfall, landslides, and falling debris. After passage: Do not go outside immediately (the storm eye may create a temporary calm); watch for downed power lines, avoid floodwater, and check for gas leaks before re-entering buildings. Emergency contacts: General emergencies 119/1999 | Maritime emergencies 118 | Police or disaster reporting 110/119 | Power outages 1911 | Road conditions 1968.
>>> REAL-TIME TYPHOON PATH TRACKING | 即時颱風路徑追蹤:
Monitor the typhoon's projected path, intensity, and timing through these official sources:
01 | Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) — Taiwan's national weather service
→ Typhoon warnings & path forecasts: https://www.cwa.gov.tw/V8/E/P/Typhoon/TY_NEWS.html
02 | Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) — U.S. Navy's Pacific storm tracking facility
→ Tropical warnings: https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html
03 | Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA, 気象庁) — Japan's official weather authority
→ Tropical cyclone information: https://www.data.jma.go.jp/multi/cyclone/index.html?lang=en
04 | Windy.com — Real-time wind and rain visualization
→ Interactive forecast: https://www.windy.com/?24.800,121.000,7