Breaking News: Typhoon Dolphin Triggers Work and School Closures! 9 Regions in Taiwan Meet 'Stop Work, Stop Classes' Criteria, Latest Rainfall and Wind Forecast / Updated Typhoon Path Revealed

Typhoon Dolphin is approaching Taiwan, and the Central Weather Administration issued heavy rain and land-based strong wind alerts early this morning (September 9). According to the latest rainfall and wind forecasts released by the administration, a total of nine regions across Taiwan have reached the criteria for work and class suspensions due to wind intensity or rainfall levels. These areas include Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Taichung City, mountainous areas of Nantou County, coastal areas of New Taipei City, coastal areas of Taoyuan City, the Hengchun Peninsula, Lanyu and Green Island, and Lienchiang County. However, the final decision on whether to suspend work and classes remains with each local government based on actual weather conditions.

Will there be a typhoon holiday? Updates on Typhoon Dolphin (as of September 9) - Taoyuan City: Fuxing District has suspended all work and classes. - Hsinchu County: Eight schools in mountainous areas have suspended classes, but government offices remain open. Affected schools include Xin Guang Elementary School, Shih Lei Elementary School, Hsiu-Luan Elementary School, and Yu Feng Elementary School in Jianshi Township, and Wu Feng Junior High School, Wu Feng Elementary School, Tao Shan Elementary School, and Hua Yuan Elementary School (including the Zhulin Branch) in Wufeng Township. - Lienchiang County: All work and classes suspended.

Typhoon Dolphin strikes hard! Wind and rain in 9 regions meet 'stop work, stop classes' standards Rainfall in mountainous areas from Hsinchu to Nantou may exceed 250 millimeters

According to the Central Weather Administration's latest '24-hour rainfall forecast map' released today, from 8:00 AM today (September 9) to 8:00 AM tomorrow (September 10), the following mountainous areas are predicted to accumulate rainfall reaching the reference standard for suspending work and classes:

Rainfall forecast for 4 mountainous counties—24-hour rainfall outlook - Hsinchu County mountainous areas: 150 to 250 millimeters - Miaoli County mountainous areas: 150 to 250 millimeters - Taichung City mountainous areas: 150 to 250 millimeters - Nantou County mountainous areas: 150 to 250 millimeters

Gusts up to level 10! Wind criteria met in 5 coastal and offshore island regions

In terms of wind forecasts, due to the typhoon's outer circulation and strong wind alerts, the following five regions have reached the holiday suspension criteria in terms of gusts and average wind speeds:

- Coastal townships of New Taipei City: average wind force 7 / gusts up to level 10 - Coastal townships of Taoyuan City: average wind force 7 / gusts up to level 10 - Hengchun Peninsula: average wind force 7 / gusts up to level 10 - Lanyu and Green Island: average wind force 7 / gusts up to level 10 - Lienchiang County: average wind force 7 / gusts up to level 10

24-hour cumulative rainfall forecast for Typhoon Dolphin. (Image: Central Weather Administration) Rainfall trend for Typhoon Dolphin. (Image: Central Weather Administration)

Moderate Typhoon Dolphin moves westward! Storm circle grazes northern sea areas

Wu Derong, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Central University, stated in his 'Leak the Heavens Classroom' column today (September 9) that satellite cloud images show the eye of Typhoon Dolphin gradually becoming blurred. Although it maintains moderate typhoon strength, it is slowly weakening. The storm circle will pass over northern sea areas, and the typhoon's center is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang Province, China, this evening.

Typhoon path potential forecast map. (Image: Central Weather Administration)

Explanation of 'Stop Work, Stop Classes' regulations

According to the 'Regulations on Suspension of Work and Classes Due to Natural Disasters,' the criteria are as follows:

1. According to meteorological forecasts, if the typhoon's storm radius may pass through a region within 4 hours, with average wind speeds reaching level 7 or higher, or gusts reaching level 10 or higher.

2. According to meteorological forecasts or actual observations, if rainfall reaches 350 millimeters in flatlands or 200 millimeters in mountainous areas, and disasters have occurred or are likely to occur.

3. In areas where wind or rainfall does not meet the above criteria, if terrain or rainfall impacts cause transportation, water, or power supply disruptions or difficulties, affecting travel, work, or class safety, or posing disaster risks.