El Niño Year Sees Active Typhoons, With Typhoons Forming Every Month in First Half

(CNA, reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, June 30) The Central Weather Administration stated that this year is an El Niño year, with a tendency for a higher proportion of strong typhoons, and predicts higher typhoon activity in July. Statistics show that typhoons have formed every month from January to June this year, marking the third time on record.

The Central Weather Administration held a "Typhoon Season Outlook Press Conference" today. It is predicted that temperatures in Taiwan from July to September will be normal to above normal, with rainfall being normal. The total number of typhoons forming in the second half of the year is expected to be normal to below normal, with 3 to 5 typhoons forming near Taiwan, which is within the normal range.

The Administration's statistics show that 8 typhoons have formed in the Northwest Pacific from January to June this year, significantly more than the climate average of 4.3. According to past statistical data, approximately 18 to 22 typhoons form in the Northwest Pacific from July to December.

Huang Chun-hsi, director of the Central Weather Administration's Forecasting Center, stated that sea surface temperatures in the tropical central and eastern Pacific continue to rise, and the ocean and atmospheric environment are showing characteristics of developing El Niño conditions. It is predicted that the El Niño phenomenon will continue to develop and may persist until next spring.

According to climate statistical data, typhoons forming in El Niño development years tend to be located further east, allowing for longer periods of intensification and development over the sea, thus often resulting in a higher proportion of strong typhoons.

Huang Chun-hsi pointed out that typhoons have formed every month from January to June this year, which is the third time on record, with the previous occurrences in 1965 and 2015. He predicts higher typhoon activity in July, while conditions for typhoon development in the Northwest Pacific in August and September will be relatively less favorable.

Huang Chun-hsi said that the overall temperature for the typhoon season from July to September is predicted to be normal to above normal. Rainfall is expected to transition from wet to dry, with normal to above-normal rainfall in July, normal rainfall in August, and a shift to normal to below-normal rainfall in September.

Huang Chun-hsi explained that typhoons have different impacts on Taiwan's weather at various stages. When typhoons are far away, Taiwan's weather is stable but long swells may occur. As the typhoon approaches, sea winds and waves expand, and the windward side is prone to brief showers. During the period of typhoon circulation influence and landfall, strong winds, heavy rain, storm surges, and large waves are likely. After the typhoon moves away, attention should be paid to heavy rain caused by southwest monsoons and accompanying effects.

Huang Chun-hsi reminded the public that during this year's typhoon season (starting July 1), a new "Giant Wave Warning" has been added during typhoon alerts. When dangerous giant waves of 6 meters or more are predicted along the coast, active alerts will be issued through disaster prevention cell broadcast messages. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150630

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