Will Typhoon Dolphin Hit Taiwan? Latest Path Revealed — Experts Share Key Observation Timeline

Typhoon Dolphin continues to strengthen, potentially becoming the strongest typhoon of the year. Meteorologist Wu Derong predicts the storm is most likely to pass between Japan's Ryukyu Islands and Kyushu. The weather-focused Facebook page 'Taiwan Typhoon Forum | Weather Express' warns that a path closer to Taiwan cannot yet be ruled out, and the trajectory is expected to become clearer only in mid-to-late next week.

Where is Typhoon Dolphin now?

According to 'Taiwan Typhoon Forum | Weather Express,' Typhoon Dolphin is currently about 4,650 kilometers away from Taiwan. Over the next few days, it will move generally in a northwest-west direction, guided by the Pacific high-pressure system. Around August 6, Dolphin is expected to approach waters near Okinawa. At that point, the strength and extent of the Pacific high-pressure system will become critical in determining its future path.

The forum explains that if the high-pressure system remains strong, Dolphin will be blocked and make a smaller northward turn, continuing on a more westward track. If the high pressure weakens, the typhoon is likely to turn northward, heading toward South Korea or near Japan’s Kyushu region. Whether the path will shift further west and approach Taiwan remains uncertain for now, with clarity expected only in mid-to-late next week.

What affects Typhoon Dolphin’s intensity?

The forum notes that the typhoon’s future intensity is closely tied to the latitude of its westward movement. If the path shifts northward, the storm will enter areas with lower ocean heat content, reducing the energy it can draw from the sea and leading to gradual weakening. Conversely, if it maintains a lower latitude during its westward journey, ocean heat content will remain sufficient, allowing Dolphin to sustain a stronger intensity for a longer period.

The forum warns that as Dolphin progresses into its mid-to-late stages, both path and intensity uncertainties will increase. Mid-to-late next week will be a crucial observation period.