The Central Weather Administration (CWA) announced that Typhoon Bavi intensified into a moderate typhoon early Friday. It is expected to continue strengthening as it moves closer towards Taiwan, possibly approaching the island this coming Thursday, July 9. The CWA is closely monitoring the situation for updates.

Meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) noted that current models predict Typhoon Bavi will approach Taiwan next week, with the most severe effects possibly felt on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11. However, which areas of Taiwan will be most affected will depend on the exact path of the storm and require further monitoring. As of the afternoon of July 3, the storm is located east of Guam and is expected to strengthen into a severe typhoon overnight.

If Bavi maintains its current trajectory, Wu says that the storm will reach waters southeast of the Ryukyu Islands early next Wednesday, July 8. Current simulations show the typhoon continuing its northwest path into the waters east of Taiwan. However, due to the long period of time and Bavi’s expected intensification over that period, it is difficult to say whether the storm will stay on its current course. 

Another tropical storm intensified into Typhoon Maysak early Friday in the South China Sea, but it is not expected to directly impact Taiwan.