TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tropical Storm Wipha may form soon and bring heavy rain to eastern Taiwan over the weekend, according to the Central Weather Administration.
As of 8 a.m., the center of the year's ninth tropical depression was located southeast of Taiwan and east of the Philippines, moving west-northwest at 20 kph, per CNA. It had maximum sustained winds of 54 kph and gusts up to 92 kph.
CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) (張承傳) told CNA the system could strengthen into Typhoon Wipha as early as Thursday. It is expected to pass over the northern tip of Luzon before heading toward the South China Sea, in the direction of Guangdong and Hainan Island.
Chang said the system remains outside the range requiring a sea warning. However, if the path shifts slightly northward or the storm’s radius expands a warning may be issued.
Starting Friday, moisture from the storm's outer bands may bring heavy or torrential rain to eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula. The storm is forecast to be directly south of Taiwan on Saturday, its closest point, before gradually moving away on Sunday.
