TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan braces for Tropical Depression Fengshen (風神) from Sunday to Wednesday (Oct. 19-22). The upcoming storm threatens heavy rainfall in eastern and northeastern regions. The Taiwan "Typhoon BBS | Weather Express" (台灣颱風論壇｜天氣特急), a specialized weather forum, warned of significant rainfall from the storm's outer circulation combined with the northeast monsoon.
Tropical Depression TD27, currently located southeast of the Philippines, is strengthening into Tropical Storm Fengshen. The storm will move steadily westward, guided by a strong Pacific high-pressure system until Saturday (Oct. 18). Meteorologists expect a northward shift as it crosses the Philippines on Sunday due to an eastward-moving trough and weakening high-pressure system.
Fengshen will enter the South China Sea on Monday and continue its westward trajectory. Meteorologists advise monitoring its northward movement before a strong northeast monsoon potentially suppresses it. The period from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday will be most intense, with warm, moist air from the storm's periphery meeting the northeast monsoon to create significant cloud and rain bands on Taiwan's eastern and northeastern sides.
Northern Taiwan, eastern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春), and southern Pingtung face particular vulnerability to rainfall. The northern coast of Keelung, eastern Taipei, northern mountainous regions, Yilan, and Hualien face high likelihood of sustained heavy rain or downpours. The worst-case scenario involves the convergence point settling over Taiwan, resulting in even more substantial rainfall.
