TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Conditions will be right next week for the emergence of a tropical storm, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Wednesday (July 17).

The possibility that a tropical storm or typhoon forming east of the Philippines on July 22 or July 23 could be between 50% and 60%, according to WeatherRisk Director Chia Hsin-hsing (賈新興). Taiwan might be affected by the storm’s outer reach from July 24, he added.

Chia called for close monitoring of tropical systems during the coming weekend before conclusions could be made about the strength and path of any storm, per CNA. Southwesterly winds were likely to increase humidity next week, with the Hengchun Peninsula at Taiwan’s southern tip receiving short but intense bouts of rain July 22-23.

According to WeatherRisk, the likelihood of any tropical storm developing will be clearer after the weekend. Currently, it can not be forecasted if the tropical depression will get strong enough to develop into Tropical Storm Gaemi.

If there is no storm, temperatures will stay high, combined with the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms, the CWA said.