Typhoon Saudel weakens, expected to come closest to Taiwan Friday: CWA

Taipei, Aug. 25 (CNA) Typhoon Saudel has shown signs of weakening but was still expected to affect Taiwan when it comes closest to the island on Friday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Tuesday.

According to the CWA, the radius of Saudel shrank to around 220 kilometers as of 8 a.m. Tuesday from 250 km a day earlier, and its maximum sustained winds were down to 155 km per hour from 184 kph previously.

As of 8 a.m., Typhoon Saudel was located 980 kilometers east of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 18 kph.

Under the influence of a Pacific high pressure system, the storm is moving northward, making it less likely that it will make landfall in Taiwan, but its outer bands could still bring heavy rain and strong winds, the CWA said.

Saudel is expected to get closest to Taiwan on Friday, though its impact is forecast to be felt starting Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Narra and Tropical Storm Atsani have been downgraded into tropical depressions, with little impact on Taiwan anticipated, the CWA said.

As for the weather Tuesday, a southwesterly wind system continued to affect Taiwan, the CWA said, adding that heavy rain resulting from high moisture in the air could affect the island.

Extremely heavy rain and heavy rain advisories have taken effect in Tainan and Kaohsiung cities and Pingtung County in the south and mountainous areas in Taitung in the east.

In addition, a heavy rain advisory was also issued for the north coast, Taichung City and Changhua and Nantou counties in central Taiwan, Yunlin and Chiayi counties and Chiayi City in the south and Yilan, Hualien and Taitung counties, and Orchid Island and Green Island in the east.

The CWA said the heavy rain and extremely heavy rain warnings were to stay in effect until Tuesday night.

An extremely heavy rain warning indicates accumulated rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters in 24 hours or 100 mm within three hours, while a heavy rain alert means accumulated rainfall of more than 80 mm in 24 hours or 40 mm in one hour, according to the CWA.