Tropical Storm Podul may impact Taiwan as it shifts northward: CWA

Taipei, Aug. 8 (CNA) Tropical Storm Podul, which formed early Friday over waters north of Guam, is expected to approach southeastern Taiwan by midweek, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

As of 2 p.m., Podul was located about 2,470 kilometers east of Taipei, moving west at 11 kilometers per hour with sustained winds of 72 kph and gusts up to 101 kph.

Podul is forecast to near Taiwan's southeastern offshore waters on Tuesday and come closest on Wednesday and Thursday. Earlier forecasts predicted the storm would pass through the Bashi Channel, but the updated path no longer rules out it directly passing over Taiwan.

According to the CWA, a sea warning could be issued by Tuesday afternoon if the storm's course remains steady.

Forecasters said the storm's path will depend on the strength of the Pacific High: a stronger high would push Podul westward through the Bashi Channel, between Taiwan and the Philippines, while a weaker high could steer it north over Taiwan.

If Podul moves north, it may weaken due to less favorable conditions; a westward path, however, could see it strengthen, forecasters said.

Weekend weather will be mostly cloudy to clear, with occasional brief showers in southern Taiwan and on the Hengchun Peninsula. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected to spread across Taipei, central and southern Taiwan, and mountainous areas.

From Sunday to Tuesday, scattered morning and early-day showers or thunderstorms are forecast south of Chiayi, while other areas will experience mostly cloudy to sunny skies during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms will expand to western, northeastern and mountainous regions.

Residents in western mountainous and foothill areas should be alert for possible heavy rain on Sunday and Monday, the CWA said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Podul or its outer circulation will likely bring short, scattered showers to Keelung, the north coast, Taipei, eastern Taiwan, and the Hengchun Peninsula. Other areas can expect mostly cloudy skies with afternoon thunderstorms.