TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Multiple weather agencies forecast Tropical Storm Kong-rey (康芮) could affect east Taiwan later this week.
On Monday (Oct. 28), the Central Weather Administration (CWA) rated Kong-rey as a severe tropical storm. Kong-rey is located 1,160 km southeast of Eluanbi moving west at 11 kph, with a 73% chance its radius will make landfall in Hualien, per CNA.
Meteorologist Daniel Wu (吳德榮) said Kong-rey could make landfall, but its path is still uncertain. The CWA and Japan’s Meteorological Agency forecast that at its peak, Kong-rey could reach a maximum wind speed of 172 kph near its center, reaching the upper limit for a moderate typhoon, said Wu.
Wu added the northeast monsoon will move southward Monday bringing showers to the north and east, while central and southern Taiwan will see mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. North Taiwan will turn cooler, with slight temperature drops in the central and southern parts of the nation.
Wu said on Tuesday and Wednesday, the north and east will see scattered showers. On Wednesday, Kong-rey's outer bands will bring heavier rain to these areas, while central and southern Taiwan will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy.
Thursday and Friday, Kong-rey could affect Taiwan and typhoon preparations should be made as soon as possible, advised Wu. By Friday and Saturday, Kong-rey is predicted to move away from Taiwan and the weather is expected to improve.