TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tropical Storm Francisco formed east of the Philippines on Wednesday and is expected to bring heavy rain to northern Taiwan.

At 8 a.m., the year’s seventh tropical storm was moving north-northwest at 26 kph with a radius of 80 km, per CNA. It had maximum sustained winds of 64 kph and gusts reaching 90 kph.

The storm is expected to come closest to Taiwan between Thursday and Friday afternoon. This will lead to heavy rain in the north and possible localized downpours in central and southern areas. 

Francisco is forecast to weaken slightly on Saturday and Sunday as it moves west toward China. From Saturday to Tuesday, a low-pressure system is likely to cause unstable weather across Taiwan.

There is also a low-pressure system near Guam that may develop into a tropical storm and is expected to move north toward Japan. Another low-pressure area near Luzon could also intensify.