Weather Forecast: Super Typhoon Dolphin Could Become This Year's Strongest! Updated Path Shows 'Weather Deteriorating from This Day with Torrential Rain', Full Weekly Outlook

According to the Central Weather Administration, today (31st), cloud cover across Taiwan will be relatively high, though brief sunshine may still occur during the day. Scattered light rain is possible in central and southern regions from early morning through daytime, and northern areas may also experience brief rainfall in the morning. Afternoon convection development could bring thunderstorms to southern Taiwan and mountainous areas nationwide. Compared to previous days, today's rainfall will affect a smaller area and last for shorter durations. Daytime highs across the island will range from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, with some areas possibly reaching around 36 degrees, resulting in a notably humid and hot feel. People are advised to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen when outdoors.

Super Typhoon Dolphin remains over 4,000 km away and will not disrupt Taiwan's weather in the near term.

The 13th super typhoon, 'Dolphin,' is currently located more than 4,000 km from Taiwan. The Central Weather Administration estimates that due to the typhoon's distant location, Taiwan's weather will not be affected by Dolphin in the short term.

Dolphin's intensity now matches that of Typhoons Bavi and Sinlaku and could become the strongest typhoon of the year.

The meteorological fan page 'Taiwan Typhoon Forum | Weather Emergency' reports that Dolphin currently has a central minimum pressure of 895 hPa, with maximum sustained winds near the center reaching 60 meters per second and peak gusts up to 75 meters per second. In terms of current strength, Dolphin has reached the same level as this year's powerful typhoons 'Bavi' and 'Sinlaku,' and it continues to intensify. The page predicts that if this development trend continues, Dolphin may surpass previous records on the 31st and become the strongest typhoon so far this year.

The subtropical high-pressure system is suppressing northward movement, causing forecast tracks to gradually shift westward.

According to 'Taiwan Typhoon Forum,' the recent strength of the subtropical high-pressure system is stronger than initially predicted, limiting Dolphin's ability to turn northward. Major global forecast models have successively adjusted their projections, shifting the typhoon's path from an earlier trajectory closer to Japan to a more westward track.

Based on current simulations, Dolphin will take about a week to pass near Okinawa by next weekend, then move toward China's eastern coastal regions. Areas near Zhejiang or Jiangsu are considered more likely landfall zones.

Whether Dolphin will significantly affect Taiwan depends mainly on how far west its path shifts. If it moves more toward the southwest, the distance between the typhoon and Taiwan may shorten; if the overall position remains farther north, the impact will be reduced.

Weekend Weather: Southern regions may still see rain; early next week will be relatively stable.

This Saturday, southern Taiwan may still experience occasional brief light rain, while other areas will generally be sunny to partly cloudy. Due to thermal effects in the afternoon, localized thunderstorms may form in mountainous areas.

From Sunday to next Tuesday, the Pacific high-pressure system will dominate, resulting in relatively stable daytime weather across Taiwan. Sunshine will be visible for most of the day, with rainfall mainly limited to mountainous areas in the afternoon.

Weather for the Coming Week: Wind direction shifts northward on Wednesday, gradually increasing moisture and rainfall probability.

On next Wednesday and Thursday, as Dolphin gradually approaches, wind direction around Taiwan will shift to northerly, and moisture levels will increase compared to previous days. Mountainous areas on the windward side of northern Taiwan may occasionally see light rain, while other areas will remain mostly cloudy to sunny during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms will be more likely in central mountainous regions, southern Taiwan, and the Hualien-Taitung area.

By next Friday, moisture will further increase, potentially expanding the area of brief showers in northern mountainous regions. Other areas will remain mostly cloudy, with afternoon thunderstorms still more likely in central mountainous areas, southern Taiwan, and the Hualien-Taitung region.

From next Saturday through the following Sunday, if outer moisture from the typhoon moves in, northern and northeastern Taiwan will see brief rainfall first. Cloud cover will increase across other regions, and localized afternoon thunderstorms will continue to be possible in central mountainous areas, southern Taiwan, and the Hualien-Taitung area.