Typhoon Soudelor's Path Changes! Meteorological Agency Warns It May 'Absorb Lightning to Grow': Marine Warning Could Be Issued as Early as This Day

Typhoon Soudelor (No. 18) continues to strengthen, with Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau announcing during a live press conference on the morning of August 24 that the storm is being steered by the northern Pacific high-pressure system, steadily moving in a northwest direction. It is expected to reach waters near the Ryukyu Islands on August 26 (Wednesday), then shift its path southwestward. August 27 and 28 (Thursday and Friday) will be the closest approach to Taiwan, during which a marine typhoon warning may be issued.

At the same time, due to the combined effects of strong southwest winds and a low-pressure trough, significant heavy rainfall continues across central-southern and eastern regions. Kaohsiung Station recorded a single-day cumulative rainfall of 531.5 millimeters. The bureau warns residents in southern Taiwan, Taitung, and Hualien mountainous areas to remain vigilant against torrential rains and above, as soil moisture levels are already high, urging the public to avoid mountain activities unless absolutely necessary.

Regarding Soudelor’s path, the bureau stated that it remains under the guidance of the northern Pacific high-pressure system, steadily advancing northwest. It is expected to reach waters near the Ryukyu Islands on August 26. As the Pacific high and low-pressure circulation gradually adjust, the typhoon’s track will gradually shift southwest toward Taiwan, with August 27 and 28 being the closest approach.

On the timing of the marine typhoon warning, the bureau explained during the Q&A session that, based on current data, there is a chance the warning could be issued as early as August 26 (Wednesday). The public is urged to closely monitor Soudelor’s latest movements and prepare for typhoon precautions in advance.

The bureau also noted that as Soudelor approaches, rainfall in northern regions will gradually increase. Central and southern areas may experience localized, brief rainfall due to the typhoon’s outer circulation. The final distance from Taiwan remains under observation, and the public is advised to stay updated.

According to satellite imagery, a tropical depression is currently active in the Taiwan Strait, resulting in abundant cloud cover near Taiwan. In the adjacent tropical waters, three tropical systems are simultaneously active: Typhoon Soudelor east of Taiwan, Typhoon Zitan near Vietnam, and a newly formed tropical system (named 'Lightning') southeast of the Philippines, which developed at 8 a.m. on the same day.

The bureau explained that Zitan is expected to linger near the coast of China to Vietnam before moving northward, posing no direct impact on Taiwan’s weather. The new tropical system east of the Philippines (Lightning) is expected to move northwest along the low-pressure circulation but will have limited development and will eventually be absorbed into Soudelor’s circulation.

Radar reflectivity images also show a distinct counterclockwise circulation active in the Taiwan Strait. Due to southwest winds, convective cloud systems continue to move into southern regions; meanwhile, strong southerly to southeasterly winds entering eastern regions have significantly intensified rainfall compared to yesterday.

Heavy rains from the southwest monsoon have severely impacted southern Taiwan. The bureau noted that due to the low-pressure circulation over the sea southwest of Taiwan—developing into a tropical depression last night—combined with southwest winds, rainfall in southern areas has been particularly significant. For example, Kaohsiung Station recorded 531.5 millimeters of cumulative rainfall in a single day, while Tainan and Pingtung both exceeded 400 millimeters.

Short-duration intense rainfall is also concentrated in the south, with peak hourly rainfall generally between 80 and 90 millimeters, and 3-hour cumulative rainfall ranging from 122 to 160 millimeters, indicating prolonged heavy downpours across southern regions yesterday.

The bureau warns that rainfall in southern areas remains persistent today. However, as the low-pressure circulation begins to retreat westward from the afternoon, wind speeds around Taiwan will gradually weaken. Rainfall is expected to ease slightly from this afternoon into early tomorrow morning, but vigilance must not be relaxed.

Heavy rains are also intense in Hualien and Taitung. The bureau noted that as strong winds associated with the low-pressure system gradually approach Taiwan, more pronounced heavy rainfall has occurred in eastern regions since last night, with cumulative rainfall generally exceeding 400 to 500 millimeters. At individual stations, Donghe Township in Taitung has reached 335.5 millimeters, approaching the threshold for extremely heavy rain, while Fuli Township in Hualien recorded 314 millimeters.

Regarding wind conditions, the bureau explained that due to southwest winds and continuous inflow of convective clouds, southern areas are experiencing strong gusts of 8 to 9 levels. Eastern regions and the northern coast of Keelung are affected by southerly to southeasterly winds, with strong gusts of 9 to 10 levels. Wind speeds are expected to remain high today.

Finally, the bureau emphasized that prolonged heavy rainfall over recent days has saturated soil in mountainous areas, increasing the risk of landslides, rockfalls, and flash floods. The public is urged to avoid mountain activities unless necessary. Low-lying areas should watch for flooding, and drivers should be cautious of slippery roads and low visibility. The bureau also noted that coastal waves in southwestern and eastern Taiwan remain high during the day, and beach activities should be approached with extreme caution. As Soudelor’s influence is expected to intensify from August 26 onward, with its path gradually turning southwest toward Taiwan, the actual impact area will continue to be monitored. The public is strongly advised to stay informed of the latest typhoon updates.