Tropical depression could strengthen into storm Saturday: CWA

Taipei, June 19 (CNA) A tropical depression near Guam in the western Pacific could strengthen into a tropical storm and come closest to Taiwan in the middle of next week, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

While the system's projected path remains highly uncertain, it could turn into into Tropical Storm Mekkhala as early as Saturday and intensify into a typhoon by Monday, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) told CNA.

The tropical system is expected to approach Taiwan between Thursday and June 26, with its outer cloud bands bringing localized rainfall, Liu said, adding that southern Taiwan could see isolated brief showers or thunderstorms.

The system's future direction will depend on the strength of the Pacific high-pressure system. Current forecasts suggest it could move north after reaching waters east of the Philippines on Tuesday and approach waters south of the Ryukyu Islands, though a closer northward turn could bring it nearer to Taiwan, Liu added.

Meanwhile, other than the tropical system's potential influence, the weather across Taiwan is expected to remain stable from Saturday through Wednesday as the Pacific high-pressure system gradually strengthens, Liu said, with only isolated brief showers forecast in some mountainous areas.

During that period, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius are forecast across much of Taiwan, while parts of Taitung County in the east could reach 36 degrees due to foehn winds, which are warm and dry gusts that descend the sheltered side of mountains into valleys.