Mountains Can't Stop It! Typhoon Bavi's Path Keeps Shifting – Experts Warn: Wind and Rain Hit Entire Taiwan Now

Strong Typhoon Bavi is approaching, and even the Central Mountain Range may not be able to stop it. On July 9, the Central Weather Bureau and private weather fan pages issued alerts, stating that this genuinely massive typhoon is gradually turning northwest. The storm's gale-force wind zone is expected to cover Taiwan's landmass for up to 24 hours, with central and northern regions bracing for gusts exceeding level 10 on the Beaufort scale. The Central Weather Bureau stated that if Typhoon Bavi's path does not significantly change, a sea typhoon warning will be issued at 2:30 PM today (9th), possibly followed by a land warning early tomorrow morning.

Meteorological expert Wu Derong, in a column for the 'Foundation for Meteorological Applications' on July 9, noted that due to the influence of the Pacific high-pressure system and subsidence from the typhoon's outer circulation, July 9 saw clear skies across Taiwan, with maximum temperatures reaching above 38°C. As Typhoon Bavi gradually turns northwest, it will fully impact Taiwan on July 10 and 11. Rain and wind will intensify throughout the evening of July 10, and on July 11, the entire island will face violent winds and torrential rain.

Why can't the Central Mountain Range stop this typhoon? The mechanism of 'mountain-parallel jet' revealed

The main reason the Central Mountain Range fails to provide protection lies in Typhoon Bavi's exceptionally large circulation structure. The weather fan page 'Weather Real-Time Forecast' warned on the evening of July 8: 'Bavi—the wind the Central Mountain Range cannot stop.' The page explained that for a 'large typhoon' with a gale radius of 380 kilometers, the airflow from the north blowing southward will hit western Taiwan at an almost parallel angle.

Under these conditions, the Central Mountain Range not only fails to block the wind, but the airflow is instead forced to accelerate southward along the mountain range due to the terrain of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. This further creates a fierce 'mountain-parallel jet,' causing strong winds in western Taiwan even before landfall. Past cases such as Typhoon Soudelor in 2015 and Typhoon Megi in 2016 also saw violent winds in western regions before landfall.

In contrast, 'small typhoons' have smaller circulations and larger angles relative to the mountains, allowing winds to flow around the range, leaving western areas in a weak wind wake zone before landfall. 'Weather Real-Time Forecast' warned that Bavi is a large typhoon, and areas from Taoyuan to Pingtung and Penghu in western Taiwan are expected to see noticeable winds starting the morning of July 10. Strong northerly winds must be taken seriously during commuting and school dismissal hours.

How long will the storm's gale zone affect Taiwan? Timeline of wind and rain impact by region

The storm's gale zone is expected to affect Taiwan's landmass for up to 24 hours. On July 9, the weather fan page 'Weather Observation and Forecast' indicated that satellite data from the evening of July 8 showed Bavi's level-7 wind zone was 3 to 4 times the size of Taiwan. Japan's Kita-Daito Island recorded an average wind speed of 11.2 m/s on the evening of July 8, confirming that Bavi is not 'all show'—it is a genuinely massive typhoon.

Since central and northern regions will be on the windward side, the threat of wind and rain is extremely high. 'Weather Observation and Forecast' warned: 'The typhoon's circulation will directly penetrate without being blocked by mountains—central and northern Taiwan all face the risk of gusts exceeding level 10. Residents in western Taiwan, please stop thinking typhoons coming from the east don't concern you.' Northern areas must especially prepare for gusts exceeding level 13, which will inevitably cause severe damage to urban infrastructure and property.

Meteorological expert Wu Derong analyzed that on July 11, the typhoon's center will pass through the northeastern waters of Taiwan and move along the northern offshore area. Pengjia Islet, the northeast corner, and the northern coastline, being close to the eyewall, must watch for devastating winds. The entire island will experience wind and rain—northern Taiwan, Yilan, and Lienchiang will be hit by the core, southern Taiwan will be affected by the tail, and eastern mountainous areas must guard against intense rainfall. Wind and rain on the main island are expected to gradually subside from the evening of July 11.

How should agriculture and fisheries prepare? Key typhoon preparedness guidelines from experts

The weather fan page 'Weather Observation and Forecast' reminded that as it is currently the first rice harvest season, parts of northern, central, and Yilan regions have not yet fully harvested. Farmers should take advantage of the relatively better weather before July 9 for final harvesting and must absolutely avoid harvesting during wind and rain. Additionally, Taitung, being on the leeward side, may experience foehn winds, so crops must also be protected.

Typhoon safety measures must be fully implemented. 'Weather Observation and Forecast' urged that offshore fishing vessels must not set sail and should urgently return and secure their boats onshore. Furthermore, mountainous areas will experience rapid weather changes in the coming days—residents must not take risks and go hiking just because the morning weather is clear, as this could endanger lives.

At its peak, Typhoon Bavi reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 60 m/s, tying the title of 'Wind King' of the year previously set by Typhoon Sinlaku in April 2026. The Central Weather Bureau warned that Bavi is both strong and large, with its gale zone affecting the entire island. The public should pay attention to the latest warnings and complete typhoon preparedness.

Source: Weather Observation and Forecast, Weather Real-Time Forecast