Typhoon Shantol: Maritime Warning Issued, Taiwan on High Alert

September 29, 2024

The Meteorological Administration issued a maritime typhoon warning for mild typhoon Shantol at 8:30 a.m. on the 29th, reminding vessels sailing and operating in the Bashi Strait to be on strict alert.

The Meteorological Administration stated that at 8 o’clock this morning, the center of Shantuoer was about 510 kilometers southeast of Eluanbi. The central air pressure was 978 hPa, the maximum wind speed near the center was 30 meters per second, and the average storm radius of Category 7 winds was 120 kilometers. The average storm radius of a Category 1 wind is 50 kilometers.

Typhoon Shantol’s Path and Intensity

Wu Wanhua, a forecaster from the Meteorological Administration, said at the typhoon press conference that the intensity of Shantol has increased slightly in the past period and continues to move northwest to northwest, posing a threat to the Bashi Strait. Shantol will also increase in intensity and expand the storm circle in the future. The trend is expected to turn into a moderate typhoon soon.

Wu Wanhua pointed out that as Shantol approaches Taiwan, the forecast paths of various countries are not consistent. The Meteorological Administration predicts that the path will turn north along the sea southeast of Taiwan and go north along the sea east of Taiwan. It will be closest to Taiwan on October 1 and 2; if the typhoon’s track is as predicted, and a land typhoon warning may be issued from late tonight to early tomorrow morning, but there is still uncertainty in the follow-up and continuous observation is required.

Weather Forecast and Warnings

Wu Wanhua said that due to the influence of the northeasterly wind and the cloud system outside Shantuo’er today, it is easy to have short-term heavy rainfall. Today, there will be local heavy rain on the north coast of Keelung, greater Taipei, the eastern half of the area, Orchid Island, and Green Island. Pay attention to lightning strikes and strong winds are gusty, so be careful in mountainous areas to prevent landslides, falling rocks and swollen streams.

Wu Wanhua pointed out that there may be heavy rain or torrential rain in Greater Taipei, the eastern half, and the Hengchun Peninsula tomorrow. October 1 and 2 are the most obvious times to be affected by the typhoon. There will be rain in various places, including the northern, eastern half, Hengchun Peninsula, and central mountainous areas. There is obvious rainfall, and the eastern half and north may have rainfall above the heavy rain level; it is expected that Shantuoer will gradually leave on October 3.

Wind and Wave Warnings

Wu Wanhua reminded that today there will be strong gusts of magnitude 9 to 10 on Orchid Island and Green Island. There will also be strong gusts of magnitude 8 to 9 in the open coastal areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Hengchun Peninsula, Penghu, and Matsu. There will also be strong winds and waves in the adjacent sea areas. Watch out for long waves along the eastern half, Orchid Island, Green Island, and the Hengchun Peninsula from tonight; The wave height in the Bashi Channel will be about 3 meters today and tomorrow, and there may be a wave height of about 6 meters near the center of the typhoon.