No Work or School Suspension on September 4! Typhoon Soudelor Makes Landfall in China, Dual Typhoons' Latest Paths and Full Update on All 22 Counties and Cities

Affected by the outer circulation of a typhoon and a broad low-pressure system, atmospheric conditions across Taiwan are highly unstable. On Thursday, September 3, the Central Weather Bureau issued heavy rain alerts for 13 counties and cities nationwide. Due to vigorous development of convective cloud systems, short-duration intense rainfall is highly likely. Areas including Keelung City, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Yilan County, and Taitung County should be cautious of road flooding and sudden heavy downpours when going outdoors.

Currently, two typhoons coexist in the western Pacific: Typhoon No. 18 Soudelor and Typhoon No. 23 Krovanh. Wu Derong, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at National Central University, analyzed that both typhoons are embedded within a large low-pressure circulation, with complex and variable surrounding steering flows. This often leads to stalling, looping, or sudden directional changes, resulting in high uncertainty in track predictions. Although neither typhoon is directly approaching Taiwan, abundant moisture and low-pressure circulation around them continue to increase the likelihood of intense convective activity across the island. Residents should remain vigilant against lightning, strong gusts, and sudden torrential rainfall.

Regarding Typhoon Soudelor's movement, meteorologist Lin De-en noted that at 6:30 a.m. today, Soudelor made landfall again in Fujian Province, mainland China. The southwest winds and moisture it previously brought to Taiwan are gradually decreasing, and accumulated rainfall in southern regions is showing clear signs of relief. However, conditions remain favorable for brief showers or thunderstorms across the island, particularly in areas north of Taoyuan and in Yilan County, where rainfall will be most significant, reaching localized heavy to torrential levels. Other counties and cities also face a risk of isolated heavy rain.

Weather expert Wu Sheng-yu further explained that although Soudelor, having regained energy, carries limited moisture, the southerly winds it pulls up from its eastern side continue to bring substantial rainfall to southern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula, and Taitung County. On Friday, September 4, Soudelor will continue moving westward over Guangdong Province and further weaken into a tropical depression. Rainfall on the windward southern and Taitung areas will significantly subside. Notably, the southerly winds and northerly to northwesterly winds from the outer circulation of Typhoon Krovanh continue to converge over Taiwan, with the convergence zone gradually shifting toward central regions as southerly winds weaken, maintaining overall atmospheric instability.

Regarding Typhoon Krovanh's trajectory, Wu Derong stated that Krovanh is currently slowly moving northwest over the sea southeast of the Ryukyu Islands and may stall or loop near the Ryukyu Islands, with a possible turn toward the southeast. The track is highly variable. Starting Saturday, September 5, the large low-pressure circulation will gradually shift toward the sea east of Taiwan, and the moisture band will move south to the Bashi Strait. Taiwan's weather has not yet stabilized, with occasional localized brief rainfall across the island. Central and southern regions should remain alert for afternoon heat-induced convective thunderstorms.

Wu Sheng-yu added that starting Saturday, southerly winds will gradually diminish, and northerly to northwesterly winds from Krovanh's outer circulation will expand southward, ending the previous north-south wind confrontation over Taiwan. However, brief rainfall remains possible on the windward side. From Sunday, September 6, through Monday and Tuesday, September 7–8, Krovanh will continue lingering near the Ryukyu Islands, with its outer wind field maintaining northerly to northwesterly flows, causing frequent brief showers in northern and central Taiwan. Afternoon heat-induced thunderstorms will continue to develop as usual in other regions.

Many residents are concerned about when this prolonged rainy period will end and when clear skies might return. Meteorological experts unanimously agree that rainfall is unlikely to cease completely in the short term. This unstable weather pattern is expected to persist into next week, with northern and northeastern Taiwan frequently affected by showers or thunderstorms. Daytime heat convection remains strong, and localized torrential thunderstorms could occur at any time.

This unstable atmospheric pattern is likely to persist over Taiwan until after Wednesday, September 9. Only after Typhoon Krovanh successfully moves northward and completely clears the Ryukyu waters will the influence of northerly winds and moisture bands gradually subside, allowing a significant shift in rainfall patterns across Taiwan.

Latest update on work and school suspensions for September 4: Status for all 22 counties and cities at a glance.

- Keelung City: Criteria for suspension not met - Taipei City: Criteria for suspension not met - New Taipei City: Criteria for suspension not met - Taoyuan City: Criteria for suspension not met - Hsinchu City: Criteria for suspension not met - Hsinchu County: Criteria for suspension not met - Miaoli County: Criteria for suspension not met - Taichung City: Criteria for suspension not met - Changhua County: Criteria for suspension not met - Nantou County: Criteria for suspension not met - Yunlin County: Criteria for suspension not met - Chiayi City: Criteria for suspension not met - Chiayi County: Criteria for suspension not met - Tainan City: Criteria for suspension not met - Kaohsiung City: Criteria for suspension not met - Pingtung County: Criteria for suspension not met - Yilan County: Criteria for suspension not met - Hualien County: Criteria for suspension not met - Taitung County: Criteria for suspension not met - Penghu County: Criteria for suspension not met - Kinmen County: Criteria for suspension not met - Lienchiang County: Criteria for suspension not met

Administrative Yuan, Personnel Administration Bureau