Brief showers, thunderstorms expected in northern Taiwan Thursday

Taipei, July 24 (CNA) Occasional brief showers or thunderstorms are expected across northern Taiwan on Thursday due to the influence of Tropical Storm Francisco, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

As cloud cover increases, isolated brief afternoon showers are also forecast in other parts of the country, the CWA said, adding that localized heavy rain is possible in central and southern regions, as well as in mountainous areas.

Rainfall is expected to intensify in northern Taiwan later in the evening, with a chance of localized heavy rain.

Daytime temperatures across Taiwan are expected to range between 30 and 34 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with highs exceeding 36 degrees possible in parts of Taichung and Changhua County, the CWA said.

As of 8 a.m., the eye of Tropical Storm Francisco was located 670 kilometers east-southeast of Taipei, moving north-northwest at 22 kilometers per hour, according to CWA data.

Meanwhile, a tropical depression that formed in the northern Philippines developed into Tropical Storm Co-May on Wednesday night.

As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, the eye of Tropical Storm Co-May was located 654 kilometers south-southwest of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, moving southeast at 17 kilometers per hour.

It is expected to weaken after passing north of the Philippines but could bring moisture to areas near southeastern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, according to the CWA.

Based on the latest forecast models, the two tropical storms could bring rain to central and northern Taiwan over the next two days, along with heavier downpours and strong gusts, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said. He added that isolated showers or thunderstorms are also possible in the south.

Tropical Storm Co-May is expected to shift northeast after passing through Luzon in the northern Philippines, Wu said, adding that unstable weather and isolated showers are likely across Taiwan from Monday to Wednesday.