TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan braces for Typhoon Fung-wong's rare November landfall as officials prepare consecutive storm warnings. The Central Weather Administration (氣象署) will issue sea and land alerts as the 26th typhoon of 2025 threatens the island early next week. Officials will likely issue a sea warning Monday and land warning Tuesday (Nov. 10-11) as Fung-wong approaches central-southern Taiwan. Forecasts indicate the typhoon will cross the entire island after landfall.
Weather Risk Company senior consultant Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇) confirmed Saturday (Nov. 8) the typhoon strengthened to moderate intensity overnight. The storm could reach severe status Sunday with its radius expanding beyond 300 kilometers (186 miles). Fung-wong currently tracks east of the Philippines near Luzon Island before entering the South China Sea Monday. The typhoon will likely maintain light typhoon strength when hitting Taiwan despite expected weakening over terrain.
Heavy rainfall threatens northern and eastern Taiwan Monday as Fung-wong's outer circulation combines with northeastern monsoon winds. Keelung North Coast, Yilan, Hualien and Greater Taipei face potential torrential downpours. Weather expert Lin De-en (林得恩) warned Fung-wong could peak between moderate and severe intensity with a 320-kilometer (199-mile) radius. He expects significant weakening before Taiwan landfall, likely dropping to light typhoon status.
Fung-wong's center will rapidly cross Taiwan Wednesday night through Thursday morning before moving into northeastern waters Thursday afternoon. Coastal areas and outlying islands face dangerous wind gusts of Force 8-10 (62-117 km/h) or stronger. Wu emphasized Fung-wong's large circulation combined with monsoon effects poses significant threats despite expected weakening. Northern and eastern regions must prepare for combined rainfall effects before the storm's main impact strikes central-southern Taiwan. ◼
