TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces a dual weather threat this week as Typhoon Mekkhala (米克拉) approaches from the southeast while extreme heat grips the island. Pingtung County is under the highest-level red alert for temperatures potentially reaching 38°C (100.4°F) on Tuesday (June 23). Dangerous swells are expected along eastern coastlines beginning the same day.
The moderate typhoon, the seventh named storm of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season, was located about 770 kilometers (478 miles) southeast of Taiwan's southernmost point, Eluanbi, as of 2 p.m. Monday, Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) said. The storm was moving west-northwest and is forecast to turn northward, passing through waters east of the island later this week.
Mekkhala had a central pressure of 930 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 48 meters per second, equivalent to 173 km/h (107 mph), with gusts reaching 58 meters per second, or 209 km/h (130 mph).
The typhoon's path remains uncertain, forecasters cautioned. The storm is expected to turn north beginning Tuesday and track along Taiwan's eastern waters through Thursday before passing near the Ryukyu Islands and accelerating northeast.
Taiwan's weather agency issued heat warnings for 14 counties and cities for Tuesday. Pingtung County faces the most severe conditions under a red alert, with the probability of consecutive days reaching 38°C (100.4°F). Nine areas are under orange alerts for sustained 36°C (96.8°F), including Taipei New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hualien County.
Authorities urged residents to avoid outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and take precautions against heat-related illness.
Temperatures on Monday reached 37.6°C (99.7°F) in Pingtung's Zhutian Township (竹田鄉), with highs across the island ranging from 32°C to 36°C (89.6°F to 96.8°F). Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) noted that Sunday's peak temperatures reached 38.8°C (101.8°F) in New Taipei's Xindian District (新店區).
The heat is expected to persist through Wednesday, with the greater Taipei area, inland regions, and the Hualien Valley facing localized highs of 37°C (98.6°F).
Conditions are expected to shift Thursday as the typhoon's outer cloud bands bring increased moisture to western and northeastern Taiwan, with scattered showers or thunderstorms forecast. Temperatures may drop 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, WeatherRisk said.
The weather agency warned of dangerous long-period swells along Keelung's north coast, Taiwan's eastern shoreline including Lanyu and Green Island, and the Hengchun Peninsula from Tuesday through Thursday. Wave heights in eastern waters could reach 3 meters (10 feet) or more.
On Tuesday morning, winds in the Bashi Channel are forecast to strengthen to Beaufort scale 9 to 10 (75-102 km/h or 47-63 mph), with gusts reaching scale 12 (118-133 km/h or 73-83 mph), the weather agency said in a maritime advisory.
The weekend outlook calls for improving conditions as the typhoon moves away. Afternoon thundershowers remain possible.
The weather administration updates typhoon forecasts every six hours. It was not immediately clear whether a typhoon warning would be issued for Taiwan. ◼
