Taiwan Typhoon Report

Taiwan Typhoons

Typhoon CHAMPI

A large, slow-moving typhoon, weakening from its earlier extraordinary strength owing to the cooler temperatures that have just arrived, Champi is approaching Taiwan from the southeast with powerful winds reaching nearly 200 miles from its center. The storm is expected to pass about 70 miles east of Yilan on Friday evening, turn north on Saturday, then northeast toward Japan's southern islands. Although Champi is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, its nearly 400-mile-wide reach threatens the island with violent coastal winds, torrential mountain rain and dangerous seas, with the worst weather arriving Friday and lingering into Saturday.

Thursday, October 22: Rain spreads across northern and eastern Taiwan through the morning and afternoon, growing heavier in the mountains of New Taipei and Yilan after 6 PM as Champi approaches, while increasingly powerful coastal winds and downpours continue overnight.

Friday, October 23: Powerful winds sweep exposed northern and eastern coasts through the morning, with the greatest danger of violent gusts between approximately 6 AM and noon, before Champi makes its closest approach around 8 PM, passing offshore near Yilan as the heaviest rain pounds the northern mountains through the afternoon and night.

Saturday, October 24: Heavy rain and strong winds linger through the morning as Champi turns north and begins moving away, with the worst conditions expected to ease after noon and a gradual improvement spreading across Taiwan through the afternoon and evening.

Sunday, October 25: Taiwan wakes to much calmer weather, with scattered morning showers in the north and east giving way to longer dry periods through the afternoon and evening, although some unsettled weather may continue into Monday.

Champi's outer winds began reaching Taiwan on Thursday, October 22, bringing increasing rain to the north and east during the afternoon and evening. Taiwan's weather agency issued a land warning at 11:30 AM as the approaching storm threatened coastal communities and mountainous areas.

Champi is not expected to cross Taiwan itself. Its center is forecast to remain offshore, passing east of Yilan late Friday before turning north, with its broad area of powerful winds moving away from Taiwan during Saturday afternoon.

The storm's principal effects will be felt over two days, Friday and Saturday, although rain and strong winds began arriving Thursday. The worst conditions are expected Friday, and Taiwan's weather agency may be able to lift its typhoon warnings Saturday afternoon if the storm follows its predicted course.

Champi is unusually large, with strong winds extending approximately 200 miles in every direction from its center, creating a storm nearly 400 miles across. It was advancing northwest at just 8–11 mph on Thursday, a relatively slow pace compared with the 9–19 mph speeds often seen in moving typhoons.

The storm has been weakening since reaching its greatest strength around October 20–21. Changes in the winds surrounding it and less favorable ocean conditions along its route are making it harder for Champi to maintain its earlier power, although it remains dangerous.

At its peak around October 20, Champi's winds were estimated at approximately 184 mph, making it one of the year's most powerful storms. Its extraordinary size, slow movement and offshore path create an especially dangerous combination for Taiwan: the center can miss the island while its outer winds and rain continue battering the same communities for many hours.

Taiwan's heaviest rain is expected from Friday morning through Saturday morning, with the most intense downpours on Friday and a gradual easing after noon Saturday. The mountains of New Taipei, Taoyuan and Yilan face the greatest danger, followed by mountainous areas around Taipei, Hsinchu and Miaoli.

Rainfall in the hardest-hit mountains could reach 24–35 inches between Thursday and Saturday. The mountains around Taipei and Hsinchu could receive 20–28 inches, while parts of New Taipei's lower elevations could receive similar amounts. The lowlands of Taoyuan and Yilan could see 16–24 inches. Other parts of Taiwan are expected to receive substantially less rain.

The strongest winds are expected from Thursday night through Friday evening, with dangerous gusts potentially continuing into Saturday morning. Taiwan's north coast, the exposed shoreline of Yilan, Orchid Island, Green Island and parts of the western coast face the greatest danger.

Orchid Island and Green Island are among the places forecast to experience the most violent gusts, potentially reaching 73–83 mph or more on Friday. The exact hour and location of Taiwan's strongest recorded gust cannot yet be established, but the greatest danger is expected Friday morning and afternoon.

Near Champi's center, sustained winds were still approximately 101 mph on Thursday evening, far stronger than those expected across most populated parts of Taiwan. Its most violent winds are forecast to remain offshore, although exposed islands and coastal communities could experience damaging gusts.

Champi should begin losing its grip on Taiwan during Saturday afternoon and evening as it moves farther north. The strongest winds should subside first, followed by a gradual reduction in rainfall, although mountain communities may continue experiencing heavy showers after the storm itself has departed.

By Sunday, October 25, much of Taiwan should enjoy calmer weather and longer dry periods. Northern and eastern areas may still receive scattered showers into Monday, October 26, so the storm's departure does not promise an immediate return to clear skies across the entire island.

24-Hour Storm Track

Taiwan Rainfall Forecast Next 48 Hours

Taiwan Typhoon Statistics

During an average year a total of 26-27 tropical systems will develop. Four usually in the first 6 months of the year & the remaining 20+ during the last 6 months.

Typhoon Q & A

What things should one do to prepare for a typhoon?

1. In the aftermath of many storms, the hardest hit areas can have their water mains shut down. This can last for several days. Having a 5 gallon bottle of water, or two, in a closet somewhere can make drinking, eating (and showering or using the toilet) a lot easier. It won't be any fun getting them, but if you are in an area apt to be hard hit, having them there will make you pretty happy if things go bad in terms of water in your neighborhood.
2. Sea warnings are announced 24 in advance radius affecting shipping lanes. Land Warnings 18 hours in advance of the radius of the storm reaching land.
3. After wind damage, the most common problem faced in Taiwan comes from flooding. If you are in an area that is likely to be hard hit and on a ground floor or in a basement structure, get yourself and your stuff to a second floor.

What does "maximum sustained wind" mean ?

The maximum sustained wind mentioned are the highest 1 min surface winds occurring within the circulation of the system. These "surface" winds are those observed (or, more often, estimated) to occur at the standard meteorological height of 10 m (33 ft) in an unobstructed exposure (i.e., not blocked by buildings or trees).

During a Typhoon/hurricane are you supposed to have the windows and doors on the storm side closed and the windows and doors on the lee side open?

NO! All of the doors and windows should be closed throughout the duration of the hurricane. The pressure differences between the inside of your house and the outside in the storm do not build up enough to cause your windows to blow out.

Stages

1. Tropical Disturbance (Tropical Wave): Unorganized mass of thunderstorms, very little, if any, organized wind circulation.
2. Tropical Depression: Has evidence of closed wind circulation around a center with sustained winds from 20-34 knots (23-39 mph), and the storm generally doesn't feel very good about itself.
3. Tropical Storm: Maximum sustained winds are from 35-64 knots (40-74 mph). The storm is named once it reaches tropical storm strength.
   The Taiwan weather service categorizes Tropical Storms as Category 1 Typhoons. (In Taiwan there are only 3 storm levels.)
4. Typhoon or Hurricane: Maximum sustained winds exceed 64 knots (74 mph). Fives categories below:

Categories of Typhoons, Hurricanes
Western Category	Miles per Hour / Kilometers per Hour	Taiwan Category	Description
1	74 - 95 / 119 - 153	2	Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.
2	96 - 110/ 155 - 177	2	Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required.
3	111 - 130 / 179 - 209	2, up to 113 mph / 182 kph 3, from 114 mph / 183 kph	Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet or less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of low- lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required.
4	131 - 155 / 211 - 249	3	Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single-story residences within 2 miles of shore.
5	155 + / 250 +	3	Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.