Tropical depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Bavi

Taipei, July 2 (CNA) A tropical depression east of Guam strengthened into Tropical Storm Bavi early Thursday, but its potential threat to Taiwan cannot yet be determined because it is still very far away, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA).

As of 8 a.m., the center of the storm was located 4,266 kilometers southeast of Taiwan, moving west-northwest at 19 kilometers per hour, CWA data showed.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 64.8 kph near its center, with gusts of 90 kph, according to the CWA.

CWA forecaster Liu Yu-chi (劉宇其) said Bavi's potential impact on Taiwan remains uncertain because it is still far away.

The storm is currently being steered by a Pacific high-pressure system, causing it to move westward initially, Liu said. It is expected to pass near Guam between Monday and Tuesday before heading toward the Ryukyu Islands, where it is likely to begin turning north, he forecast.

However, the exact angle of the storm's northward turn and its track remain highly uncertain, Liu said, adding that its potential impact on Taiwan will depend on its position in the latter half of next week.

Meanwhile, another tropical depression near the South China Sea is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm on Thursday or Friday, though it will be weaker than Bavi, he said.

That system is forecast to head toward China's Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, posing no threat to Taiwan, according to Liu.