TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan braces for Typhoon Fengshen as a tropical system near Guam could intensify into a depression by Thursday (Oct. 16) and strengthen into a typhoon by Friday. The Central Weather Bureau (中央氣象署), Taiwan's meteorological agency, warns the storm will interact with northeast monsoon patterns from Oct. 19 to 22, triggering heavy rainfall across northern and eastern regions.
Meteorologist Cheng Chieh-Jen (鄭傑仁) reported the system currently forming near Guam will track between the Bashi Channel and Luzon Island toward Hainan Island. The storm's wind circle may trigger sea warnings, though the exact impact remains uncertain until tropical depression formation. Cheng emphasized the system's proximity to Taiwan's southeastern waters poses potential maritime threats.
Weather conditions remain stable and sunny through Friday before the system's outer moisture bands arrive Saturday. Brief showers will affect Keelung's north coast, greater Taipei mountain areas, and Yilan as windward regions experience increased rainfall. Saturday brings scattered precipitation to Keelung, Yilan, the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), and mountainous areas surrounding the capital as tropical moisture expands northward.
The northeast monsoon intensifies rainfall from Oct. 19 to 22, delivering significant precipitation to northern and eastern regions plus the Hengchun Peninsula through Oct. 21. Temperatures plummet 6 to 7 degrees Celsius (11 to 13°F) starting Sunday (Oct. 19), with highs dropping to 27 to 28 degrees Celsius (81 to 82°F). Dangerous swells threaten southeastern coasts, including Orchid Island (蘭嶼) and Green Island (綠島), from Sunday onward. ◼
