Record-tying number of typhoons form in NW Pacific in July, August

Taipei, Sept. 2 (CNA) Fourteen typhoons or tropical storms formed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean during July and August, tying the record for the most such storms during that period, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, CWA Weather Forecast Center Director Huang Treng-shi (黃椿喜) said the 14 storms in the region far exceeded the climatological normal (30-year average) of 9.3, tying a record previously reached in 1967, 1994, 1996 and 2018.

Of those storms, the CWA issued land or sea warnings for four -- typhoons Bavi, Noul, Dolphin and Saudel -- while also monitoring an extreme rainfall event on Aug. 22, Huang said.

According to Huang, Taiwan recorded an average temperature in July and August of 28.9 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degrees above the 30-year average.

Total rainfall during the two-month period reached 754.7 millimeters, more than 20 percent above the average rainfall, while Tainan's weather station recorded its highest-ever total for that period, and Kaohsiung recorded its highest total since moving to a new location in 2022.

As for Taiwan's autumn forecast, Huang said El Nino conditions will likely result in above-average temperatures, while rainfall amounts will be normal or slightly lower than average.

The CWA forecasts that 10-12 typhoons or tropical storms will form in the Northwest Pacific from September through November -- in line with the average -- while the number approaching Taiwan will also be in the normal range, Huang said.

Due to the El Nino event, Taiwan is also likely to see above-average temperatures this winter and rainier-than-average weather next spring, according to Huang.