Tropical Storm Usagi Developments Raise Concerns for Taiwan and Philippines
Tropical Storm Usagi has formed in the Western Pacific and may impact Taiwan while the Philippines is on alert. The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 72 kph and is moving west-northwest. Forecasts indicate a trend north towards Taiwan, with possible sea warnings issued by the CWA. This marks the first instance of four storms active simultaneously in November since 1994.
Tropical Storm Usagi has emerged as the fourth tropical storm in the Western Pacific within a span of 10 days and poses a potential threat to Taiwan, all while keeping the Philippines on high alert. As of 8 AM, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported Usagi’s location roughly 660 kilometers northwest of the Yap Islands, with a radius of 80 kilometers. Moving west-northwest at 27 kilometers per hour, the storm currently possesses maximum sustained winds of 72 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 101 kilometers per hour. The CWA forecasts that Usagi will shift northward by tomorrow morning, with indications that it may issue sea warnings for Taiwan’s waters by Thursday. CWA forecaster Chen Pei-an remarked on the storm’s unpredictability, indicating it might either enter the South China Sea via the Bashi Channel or affect waters to the east of Taiwan over the weekend. In the Philippines, the local meteorological agency is taking preventative measures against Usagi, locally named “Ofel,” despite the storm not directly impacting the country as of yet. It is projected that Usagi could make landfall in northern and central Luzon on Thursday evening and is anticipated to evolve into a typhoon by tomorrow. Notably, the occurrence of Usagi marks an unprecedented situation with four tropical storms being active simultaneously in November, joining storms Yinxing, Toraji, and Man-yi. Previous instances of such tropical activity have not been recorded since October 1994. Concurrently, the CWA has issued advisories concerning heavy rainfall for northern coastal areas and mountainous regions in Taipei and Yilan County.
The formation of Tropical Storm Usagi is significant due to its simultaneous occurrence with three other tropical systems in the Western Pacific, which is a rare meteorological event. The CWA has been closely monitoring Usagi’s trajectory, as its potential to impact Taiwan remains uncertain and necessitates careful tracking. Historical comparisons point to the last such occurrence of four concurrent storms in 1994, highlighting Usagi’s unusual nature in the Pacific storm cycle. The storm’s proximity to the Philippines has also prompted extensive preemptive measures from the Philippine authorities.
In summary, Tropical Storm Usagi is of considerable concern as it develops in the Western Pacific, with possible implications for both Taiwan and the Philippines. Authorities in both regions are prepared to respond to changes in Usagi’s trajectory, indicating a possible landfall in the near future. Meanwhile, existing storms from earlier in the month, particularly Yinxing, are fading, showing the dynamic nature of tropical activity in the Pacific region. The evolution of Usagi and its potential transition to a typhoon underscores the importance of continued vigilance and preparedness among national meteorological agencies.
Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com
