Tropical Storm Saudel to make a comeback, with little impact on Taiwan

Taipei, Aug. 31 (CNA) A tropical depression near Hainan that was once Typhoon Saudel may once again strengthen into a tropical storm as soon as late Monday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, but a sea warning for waters around Taiwan is unlikely.

CWA forecaster Huang En-hung (黃恩鴻) told CNA that Saudel would return to being a weak tropical storm by late Monday or Tuesday morning.

Huang said, however, that because the storm will gradually weaken again and will head toward China's Guangdong Province away from Taiwan, the chances that it will affect Taiwan enough for the CWA to issue a sea warning are relatively low.

Taiwan's weather in the coming days is more likely to be affected by the combined effects of an extended low-pressure area and the strengthening of southwesterly winds.

Those conditions will bring considerable rainfall to Taiwan on Tuesday and Thursday, mostly localized around central and southern Taiwan as well as the eastern half of the island, Huang said.

On Tuesday, central, southern and eastern Taiwan should be aware of heavy to extremely heavy rain, while other regions could see thunderstorms in the afternoon and also heavier localized precipitation, Huang said.

Between Wednesday and Thursday, Huang forecast that central, southern and eastern Taiwan could see short showers or thundershowers throughout the day, and perhaps even localized heavy rains.

Mountainous areas throughout Taiwan could also see heavy rain in the afternoon during those days, while on Thursday, the western half of Taiwan plus Yilan County in the northeast could see short showers, thundershowers and even localized heavy rain, Huang said.

The weather will improve in southern Taiwan between Friday and Saturday, and all of Taiwan should see the rainy weather subside by Sunday, according to Huang.

In terms of temperatures, Taiwan can expect highs between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius, with northern Taiwan potentially seeing daytime highs reach 34 degrees and even 35 degrees.

Because of the persistent rain in southern Taiwan, highs there could range between 27 and 28 degrees, Huang said.