Taiwan Typhoon Report

Taiwan Typhoons

Typhoon HAIKUI

Updated: 9/5/2023

Typhoon Haikui, which means sea anemone in Chinese, is a storm of 150 km in radius forecast to make landfall at around Taidong Sunday 9/3 at around 5pm or 6pm, and then take a southwestern path across the island from Sunday 9/3 through Tuesday 9/5.

The forecast is for the radius of Haikui NOT to cover northern Taiwan.

The period of highest rains will occur across middle and southern Taiwan from Saturday 9/2 evening and last through Monday 9/4.

Haikui's southwest travel is forecast to involve getting stuck Monday morning 9/4 at the very southern tip of Taiwan around Penghu, for anywhere from 12 to as long as 24 hours, bringing a sustained downfall of rain as the storm remains stationary.

The radius of the storm is forecast to be past the main island of Taiwan by Tuesday 9/5 early morning.  Though off the main island by that time the storm is predicted to still be heading for Penghu Island.

Arrival

The very outer edge of Haikui is predicted to reach Taiwan by Sunday 9/3 by 6am.

Landfall, the CENTER of the storm reaching the coast, is forecast for 6pm Sunday 9/3 at Taidong.

Rainfall

Highest rainfall is predicted in the mountain areas of Taidong and Hualien which are likely to see disaster-like conditions.  Forecast is for up to 900mm of rain in these mountain regions.

The urban area which will reach the highest rainfall is Taidong City and any areas near the center of the storm at landfall.

The period of highest rains across central and southern Taiwan will begin from Saturday 9/02 evening and last through Monday.

All of Taiwan south of Miaoli will see rain in excess of 200mm from Saturday 9/02 through Tuesday 9/5.

Current Rainfall Advisories are in effect as follows:

1. Kaohsiung City Mountain Area, Pingtung County Mountain Area, Yilan County Mountain Area, Hualien County, Kinmen Area,

Heavy Rain Advisory or Extremely Heavy Rain Advisory in effect from late this afternoon (09/04) through tonight (09/04)

Heavy - 1 hr 15mm+ and 24hrs +50mm, Extreme heavy rainfall - 24 hrs +130mm

2. Keelung North Coast, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City Mountain Area, Hsinchu County Mountain Area, Miaoli County Mountain Area, Taichung City Mountain Area, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Hengchun Peninsula, Yilan County, Taitung County, Lanyu and Ludao Islands, Penghu County,

Heavy Rain Advisory in effect from late this afternoon (09/04) through tonight (09/04)

Heavy - 1 hr 15mm+ and 24hrs +50mm 

Winds

The period of highest winds will occur at and around the forecast landfall site of Taidong, beginning from Sunday morning 9/3 and reaching the highest point as the center of the storm reaches land there at around 6pm Sunday 9/3 – windspeeds up to 20 meters per second or 44 miles per hour.

The period of highest winds will subside very soon after the center of the storm arrives due to the impact of the island’s topography, though the wind speeds are forecast to resume once the storm turns into the Taiwan straits on Monday 9/4 or Tuesday 9/5.

The greatest danger from the typhoon is less from the high winds that occur at landfall than from the sustained days-long heavy rain.

Current Wind Advisories are in effect as follows:

1. Penghu County, Kinmen Area,

Wind Advisory (over land) in effect from tonight(09/04) through early Tuesday morning (09/05)

HAIKUI LEAVES TAIWAN

Haikui's influence on Taiwan’s weather is forecast fully stop by Wednesday 9/06 or Thursday 9/07 at the latest.

CHARACTERISTICS

The storm’s radius is around 150 km currently, described as an average size where over 200 is large and under 120 is small.

Haikui is forecast to reach as big as 200 while transiting across Taiwan. 

HAIKUI 24-Hour Storm Track

Taiwan Rainfall Forecast Next 48 Hours

Taiwan Typhoon Statistics

During an average year a total of 26-27 tropical systems will develop. Four usually in the first 6 months of the year & the remaining 20+ during the last 6 months.

Typhoon Q & A

What things should one do to prepare for a typhoon?

1. In the aftermath of many storms, the hardest hit areas can have their water mains shut down. This can last for several days. Having a 5 gallon bottle of water, or two, in a closet somewhere can make drinking, eating (and showering or using the toilet) a lot easier. It won't be any fun getting them, but if you are in an area apt to be hard hit, having them there will make you pretty happy if things go bad in terms of water in your neighborhood.
2. Sea warnings are announced 24 in advance radius affecting shipping lanes. Land Warnings 18 hours in advance of the radius of the storm reaching land.
3. After wind damage, the most common problem faced in Taiwan comes from flooding. If you are in an area that is likely to be hard hit and on a ground floor or in a basement structure, get yourself and your stuff to a second floor.

What does "maximum sustained wind" mean ?

The maximum sustained wind mentioned are the highest 1 min surface winds occurring within the circulation of the system. These "surface" winds are those observed (or, more often, estimated) to occur at the standard meteorological height of 10 m (33 ft) in an unobstructed exposure (i.e., not blocked by buildings or trees).

During a Typhoon/hurricane are you supposed to have the windows and doors on the storm side closed and the windows and doors on the lee side open?

NO! All of the doors and windows should be closed throughout the duration of the hurricane. The pressure differences between the inside of your house and the outside in the storm do not build up enough to cause your windows to blow out.

Stages

1. Tropical Disturbance (Tropical Wave): Unorganized mass of thunderstorms, very little, if any, organized wind circulation.
2. Tropical Depression: Has evidence of closed wind circulation around a center with sustained winds from 20-34 knots (23-39 mph), and the storm generally doesn't feel very good about itself.
3. Tropical Storm: Maximum sustained winds are from 35-64 knots (40-74 mph). The storm is named once it reaches tropical storm strength.
   The Taiwan weather service categorizes Tropical Storms as Category 1 Typhoons. (In Taiwan there are only 3 storm levels.)
4. Typhoon or Hurricane: Maximum sustained winds exceed 64 knots (74 mph). Fives categories below:

Categories of Typhoons, Hurricanes
Western Category	Miles per Hour / Kilometers per Hour	Taiwan Category	Description
1	74 - 95 / 119 - 153	2	Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.
2	96 - 110/ 155 - 177	2	Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required.
3	111 - 130 / 179 - 209	2, up to 113 mph / 182 kph 3, from 114 mph / 183 kph	Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet or less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of low- lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required.
4	131 - 155 / 211 - 249	3	Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single-story residences within 2 miles of shore.
5	155 + / 250 +	3	Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.