TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Weather experts warned Wednesday (July 23) that Typhoon Francisco (范斯高), the seventh typhoon of the year to impact Taiwan, formed at 8 a.m. east of the Philippines. The storm has intensified into a mild typhoon and is expected to move towards waters south of the Ryukyu Islands, potentially bringing heavy rains to northern Taiwan Thursday (July 24) and Friday (July 25), with unstable weather Saturday (July 26) during the recall vote.
The typhoon is moving northwest and is predicted to approach seas north of Taiwan by Friday evening (July 25). According to meteorologist Lin Bing-yu (林秉煜), the storm might continue westward and weaken into a tropical depression. The northern region will experience significant rainfall Thursday afternoon (July 24) through Friday (July 25) due to peripheral circulation, while central and southern regions may encounter localized heavy rain in afternoons.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the storm's progress as it continues to weaken and approach China between Saturday (July 26) and Sunday (July 27). The exact timing and speed of its weakening remain uncertain, and its potential impact on Taiwan's weather requires ongoing observation. Lin highlighted that Taiwan might experience unstable weather from Saturday (July 26) onward due to a low-pressure zone, with westerly or southwesterly winds possibly bringing localized heavy rain to western regions during the recall vote.
Lin urged coastal areas south of Chiayi (嘉義), a central Taiwan county, to remain vigilant against seawater intrusion due to astronomical tides in the coming days. Residents are advised to stay informed and prepared for possible adverse weather conditions as the situation develops. ◼
