Tropical system to strengthen, bring rain across Taiwan over weekend

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) The Central Weather Bureau said Thursday that a tropical system near the Philippines will strengthen into a tropical depression as soon as Friday, bringing rain across Taiwan.

Localized heavy rain is likely in central and southern Taiwan on Friday, while sporadic thundershowers are expected in the eastern half of the country, areas south of Hsinchu County, and mountainous regions, CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) told CNA.

Temperature-wise, western Taiwan and outlying Kinmen County will experience heat of over 36 degrees Celsius, he said.

Chang said the current tropical system is expected to approach Taiwan this weekend and may intensify into Typhoon Danas.

However, he noted that current environmental conditions are not favorable for development, so the extent of its strengthening remains uncertain.

The system is projected to move westward on Thursday and Friday, and then turn northward on Saturday. It remains uncertain whether it will pass along Taiwan's east or west coast, or make landfall.

It is forecast to bring rainfall across Taiwan on the weekend, with localized sporadic showers expected in central, southern and eastern Taiwan and afternoon showers in other parts of the country, Chang said.

The east and south can expect localized heavy rains, he added.

The rain will bring down daytime highs to about 33-35 degrees across the island, Chang said.

On Monday, the system is expected to move off the northern coast of Taiwan, bringing sporadic showers to western regions and afternoon thundershowers across the island, Chang said.