Tropical Storm Fung-Wong forms southeast of Taiwan: CWA

Taipei, Nov. 6 (CNA) A tropical depression southeast of Taiwan has developed into Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, but its path and potential impact remain uncertain, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Thursday.

The storm could start affecting Taiwan by next Tuesday, bringing rain, but the severity will depend on its path, the CWA said.

As of 2 a.m. Thursday, Fung-Wong was located 2,640 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, moving northwest at 21 km per hour, and was forecast to make landfall on Luzon in the northern Philippines on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the CWA said sunny to partly cloudy skies will prevail across most of Taiwan on Thursday, as northeasterly winds weaken.

Some localized showers may fall in the greater Taipei area and in Yilan and Hualien counties, while Taitung and the Hengchun Peninsula may see brief isolated showers, the CWA said.

Temperatures will also rise in Taiwan on Thursday, the CWA said, forecasting daytime highs of 27-28 degrees Celsius in northern Taiwan and Yilan, and 28-31 degrees in central and southern regions, as well as in Hualien and Taitung.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said Thursday that the warm weather will continue in Taiwan over the next few days, with highs of over 30 degrees, but the mornings and evenings will be cooler.

In his forecast for Fung-Wong, Wu said the storm is likely to veer north after hitting northern Luzon, which would pose a potential threat to Taiwan.

The storm may start affecting Taiwan on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing strong winds and rain, he said, adding that its path next week is still uncertain.

By Nov. 13, weather conditions in Taiwan are likely to improve gradually as Fung-Wong weakens and moves away, the forecaster said.