TAIPEI — Taiwan is expecting mostly favorable weather for Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, giving residents a good chance to enjoy moon-gazing despite the formation of Typhoon Surigae east of the island.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said most of Taiwan and its outlying islands should experience mostly cloudy to sunny conditions during the four-day Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers’ Day holiday, which runs from September 25 to 28.
Forecaster Cheng Chieh-jen said most areas, including Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, should have suitable conditions for outdoor activities and moon-gazing. Afternoon showers remain possible in mountainous areas, while northern and eastern Taiwan could see isolated rain.
Typhoon Surigae Changes Course
The biggest weather variable is Typhoon Surigae, which has developed east of Taiwan and is gradually turning northward.
Taiwan News reported that the storm was about 1,620 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi at 2 a.m. Thursday and that its northward turn is reducing the likelihood of a direct hit on Taiwan.
The CWA’s forecast, however, still calls for close monitoring because forecast models have shown differences in the storm’s eventual path.
CNA reported that Surigae was expected to move toward waters southeast of Taiwan before turning north and then northeast toward Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. Some forecast models placed the system farther west, potentially bringing it closer to Taiwan.
The Hong Kong Observatory’s latest bulletin similarly showed Surigae moving toward the vicinity of the Luzon Strait and waters east of Taiwan over the following days, with gradual strengthening expected.
Friday Could Bring a Clear View of the Moon
For Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday, the weather outlook remains relatively favorable.
CWA forecasters said cloud cover that develops during the afternoon should gradually decrease in many areas by evening. The western half of Taiwan is expected to have a particularly good chance of seeing the moon, while eastern areas could have more cloud cover but may still get opportunities for moon-gazing.
Saturday and Sunday are currently expected to be the most stable days of the holiday period, with showers mainly limited to mountainous areas during the afternoon.
Temperatures will remain warm, with highs generally above 30°C. Taiwan News forecasts highs of about 31°C to 34°C in western Taiwan and 28°C to 32°C in the east.
Weather Could Shift After the Weekend
Conditions are expected to become more unsettled toward the latter part of the holiday.
CWA forecasts indicate that northern Taiwan, particularly areas around Taoyuan and Yilan, could experience isolated showers from Monday into Tuesday as northerly winds strengthen and the outer influence of the storm approaches.
The agency has therefore maintained a distinction between the favorable Mid-Autumn outlook and the potential for changing conditions later in the holiday.
For now, Taiwan’s forecast offers residents an unusual combination: a major holiday under mostly favorable skies, while a developing typhoon remains far enough away to keep the island watching the forecast.
With Surigae continuing to evolve, however, the storm’s eventual track remains the key factor that could change conditions in the days ahead.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
