Weather Forecast / Typhoon Dolphin Closes In on Taiwan! Heavy Rain for 6 Days Across the Island – Areas with Most Severe Wind and Rain Revealed – Full Week Ahead Weather Outlook

The Central Weather Administration announced that September 9 marks the period when the moderate typhoon 'Dolphin' comes closest to Taiwan. It is forecast to weaken into a mild typhoon during the day, with outer cloud bands continuously moving in. Northern regions must remain on high alert for torrential rain, while the Zhu-Miao mountainous areas should guard against extremely heavy rainfall. Additionally, coinciding with high tide, the Keelung North Coast is urged to take strict precautions against seawater backflow and flooding in low-lying areas.

Meteorological expert Wu Derong noted that from Monday to Wednesday (September 10–12), as the typhoon moves away, the surrounding airflow over Taiwan will shift to southwest winds. From Thursday to next Tuesday (September 13–18), although southwest winds will weaken slightly, the pattern of carrying abundant moisture from the South China Sea will persist. As a result, localized rainfall will occur in southwestern areas during early mornings, and due to atmospheric instability, strong convection will frequently develop across western Taiwan in the afternoons, marking the beginning of a prolonged rainy period.

Wu Wan-hua, Deputy Director of the CWB Forecast Center, explained that today is the time when Typhoon Dolphin comes closest to Taiwan. Currently at the lower end of a moderate typhoon, it is expected to weaken into a mild typhoon during the day. The typhoon's center is projected to make landfall in Zhejiang Province, China, tonight. However, its storm zone will pass extremely close to Matsu, requiring heightened vigilance in the Matsu region.

Affected by the 8th moderate typhoon 'Dolphin' approaching northern sea areas, spiral rainbands are covering northern Taiwan, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to central-northern regions. Wu Derong, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, pointed out in his 'Leak the Heavens Classroom' column that Typhoon Dolphin's eye has gradually become blurred. Although still classified as a moderate typhoon, it is slowly weakening. The storm zone will pass over northern sea areas, and the typhoon's center is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang tonight.

According to the 'Moderate Typhoon Dolphin Marine Warning' issued by the Central Weather Administration at 2:30 a.m. today, the typhoon's center was located over the northeastern sea of Taiwan at 2 a.m. Due to the influence of its outer circulation, intense rainfall has occurred in central-northern areas. There is a possibility that rainfall will expand to southern mountainous areas tonight.

Wu Derong warned that strong gusts and slightly cooler temperatures are expected across regions due to the typhoon. Meanwhile, the eastern region may experience extreme high temperatures due to downslope winds. Temperature forecasts for today are as follows: Northern Taiwan: 23–34°C; Central Taiwan: 23–33°C; Southern Taiwan: 25–33°C; Eastern Taiwan: 24–38°C.

Regarding future weather trends, Wu noted that from tomorrow (September 10) to Wednesday (September 12), the typhoon will gradually move away, and southwest winds will prevail around Taiwan:

- Windward side (southwestern Taiwan): Localized showers or thunderstorms with potentially heavier rainfall. - Northern and southeastern regions: Clear and hot, requiring caution against extreme high temperatures. - Central-northern areas: Due to atmospheric instability, localized afternoon thunderstorms are possible.

Furthermore, model simulations indicate that from Thursday to next Tuesday (September 13–18), although southwest winds will weaken slightly, the pattern of carrying abundant moisture from the South China Sea will continue. Localized rainfall will occur in southwestern areas during early mornings, and strong convection will frequently develop across western Taiwan in the afternoons due to atmospheric instability, marking the beginning of a prolonged rainy period. The public is advised to remain vigilant and monitor short-term weather advisories.

Meanwhile, the 15th mild typhoon 'Chan-hom' is moving northwest to west-northwest. Due to strong vertical wind shear, its intensification is limited. It is expected to strike Japan's main island on Tuesday and Wednesday (September 11–12).

Summary of Typhoon Dolphin and Future Weather Trends:

Period: Today (September 9) Main Weather: Dolphin passes northern sea areas, expected to make landfall in Zhejiang tonight Key Rainfall Areas: Intense rainfall in central-northern regions; possible expansion to southern mountainous areas tonight Temperature & Notes: Extreme high temperatures up to 38°C in eastern regions; strong gusts across areas

Period: Monday to Wednesday (September 10–12) Main Weather: Typhoon moves away, shifting to southwest winds; atmospheric instability in afternoons Key Rainfall Areas: Localized showers/thunderstorms in southwestern areas; afternoon thunderstorms in central-northern regions Temperature & Notes: Caution against extreme high temperatures in northern and southeastern regions; Chan-hom to strike Japan

Period: Thursday to Next Tuesday (September 13–18) Main Weather: Abundant moisture from South China Sea brings prolonged rain to western Taiwan Key Rainfall Areas: Early morning localized rain in southwest; strong afternoon convection across western Taiwan Temperature & Notes: Atmospheric instability, entering prolonged rainy period; monitor weather advisories

Source: Wu Derong