Tomorrow's Weather: Thunderstorms Across Taiwan Turn Purple! Typhoon Dolphin May Trigger Land Warning as Early as Tomorrow — Peak Winds and Rain Expected Over the Next Two Days, Weekly Forecast Revealed

The Central Weather Administration has officially issued a maritime typhoon warning for Tropical Storm 'Dolphin' today (7th). Notably, Typhoon Dolphin has set a historical record as the farthest east-forming typhoon to trigger a maritime warning since Typhoon Allen in 1983. Wu Wan-hua, Deputy Director of the CWB Forecast Center, stated that Dolphin will continue moving westward, and whether it approaches closer to Taiwan while passing northern waters will be critical. If its path shifts further west, a land warning could be issued as early as tomorrow afternoon (8th) for the northern coast of Keelung and New Taipei City. This weekend (8th–9th) is expected to see the most intense wind and rain.

Dolphin Travels 6,000 km to Reach Taiwan! Experts Reveal Typical 'El Niño Year Typhoon' Characteristics

The weather-focused social media page 'Weather Risk' noted that Typhoon Dolphin has maintained strength for 12 days since formation, traveling over 6,000 km to reach Taiwan’s doorstep. This long-distance trajectory closely resembles July’s Typhoon Bavi, both exhibiting classic characteristics of typhoons during El Niño years.

According to Weather Risk’s projected track, Typhoon Dolphin will come closest to Taiwan this weekend (8th–9th), skimming the northern seas before heading toward China’s Zhejiang coastal region. During these two days, its outer circulation will exert the strongest influence on Taiwan’s weather. Early Monday morning (10th), the storm center is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang Province, China.

Heavy Rain Advisory: Windward Areas Face Downpours; Hualien-Taitung Warned of Foehn-Induced Heatwaves

Impacted by Dolphin’s outer circulation, weekend rainfall and wave forecasts across Taiwan are as follows:

1. Rainfall Alert Zones

Heavy Rain Level: Localized heavy rains are possible in mountainous areas north of Chiayi on the windward side.

Moderate Rain Level: Areas including lowlands north of Chiayi, Yilan, and mountainous regions in Kaohsiung-Pingtung should prepare for localized downpours.

High Temperatures on Leeward Side: Due to topographic shielding from the Central Mountain Range, rainfall in Hualien-Taitung remains limited. However, extreme heat caused by leeward subsidence effects—such as foehn winds—must be closely monitored.

2. Strong Wind and High Wave Warnings

Gusty winds are likely along northern and northeastern coasts, Hengchun Peninsula, southeastern shores, Green Island, Lanyu, and outlying islands including Penghu and Matsu. Sea waves around Taiwan will significantly increase, creating hazardous conditions unsuitable for marine operations or water activities. The public is urged not to visit coastal areas for sightseeing or wave watching.

Weekend Rainfall Forecast Map. (Image/Central Weather Administration)

Weekend Wind Forecast Map. (Image/Central Weather Administration)

After the Typhoon: Shift to 'Southwesterly Flow Environment' Brings Prolonged Rain to Central and Southern Taiwan

Starting Sunday evening (9th), as Dolphin makes landfall in China and transforms into a broad low-pressure zone, Taiwan’s surrounding wind patterns will shift to strong southwesterlies. From Monday (10th) onward, Taiwan will remain under a moisture-rich southwesterly flow for several consecutive days. While not reaching full 'southwesterly monsoon' intensity, this pattern will still deliver abundant moisture:

Central and Southern Regions: Short-duration showers and thunderstorms will persist, with non-negligible cumulative rainfall in mountainous areas.

Other Regions: Cloudier skies with scattered short-duration showers possible.

This unstable weather pattern will last for several days. A significant shift in weather is unlikely until a new tropical system develops within the offshore low-pressure zone and alters the broader wind pattern.