TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is expected to experience three to five tropical storms or typhoons this year amidst above-average activity across the Pacific during the first half of the year, weather officials said Tuesday.
The Central Weather Administration said conditions associated with the developing El Nino pattern have already contributed to an unusually active start to the season. Eight tropical storms or typhoons formed in the Northwest Pacific between January and June, well above the historical average of 4.3 for the period, per CNA.
From July through December, forecasters expect between 18 and 22 tropical storms or typhoons to form across the Northwest Pacific. Of those, three to five are forecast to pass near Taiwan. Officials warned that El Nino conditions can increase the likelihood of stronger tropical storms and typhoons.
CWA Weather Forecast Center Director Huang Treng-shi (黃椿喜) said sea surface temperatures continue to rise, with oceanic and atmospheric conditions showing clear signs of El Nino. The phenomenon is expected to strengthen and could persist into next spring.
According to climate records, typhoons during El Nino years tend to form farther east over the Pacific Ocean, giving them more time to intensify before approaching land. As a result, the proportion of strong typhoons is generally higher than in other years.
Huang said tropical storms or typhoons have formed every month from January through June this year, marking only the third time on record after 1965 and 2015. He added that temperatures during the peak typhoon season, July to September, are expected to remain above normal, while rainfall is forecast to gradually decline, per the report.
To improve coastal safety, the agency introduced a new “giant wave warning” to its disaster prevention alert system. Emergency notifications will be issued through mobile phone alerts when waves of six meters or higher are forecast along Taiwan's coastline.
