TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) announced Friday (Sept. 18) that two typhoons have formed in the western Pacific while a third storm approaches the island. Typhoon Ragasa (樺加沙颱風) and Typhoon Neoguri (浣熊颱風) developed overnight, joining Typhoon Mitag (米塔颱風), which threatens to bring rain to eastern Taiwan's Hualien and Taitung counties. The weather agency warned residents to prepare for potential impacts as the storm season intensifies across the region.
Typhoon Mitag (米塔颱風) sits northwest of the Philippines and will track toward China's Guangdong province coast. Typhoon Ragasa (樺加沙颱風), positioned more than 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) east of the Philippines, threatens Taiwan's southeastern waters and the strategic Bashi Channel. The weather administration reported both storms are following predicted paths that could significantly impact regional shipping and aviation routes.
Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) warned that Typhoon Ragasa (樺加沙颱風) could intensify into a dangerous moderate or severe typhoon. Lin said the storm will encounter favorable conditions including minimal wind shear and warm ocean temperatures. The typhoon could develop wind radii spanning 80 to 250 kilometers (50 to 155 miles), with the Pacific high-pressure system potentially steering it toward Taiwan's southern or southeastern coastline.
Typhoon Ragasa (樺加沙颱風) will pose the greatest threat to Taiwan between Sunday (Sept. 22) and Monday (Sept. 23). The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) urged residents and travelers bound for Hong Kong, Macau, and China's Guangdong coast to monitor weather updates closely. Officials emphasized the importance of preparation as the storm system continues developing in the warm Pacific waters east of the Philippines. ◼
