Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau announced that Typhoon Wutip, the first typhoon of the year, formed at 8 a.m. this morning and is predicted to move towards Hainan Island before turning north to enter the Guangdong region, with no direct impact expected on Taiwan.
The tropical depression that was previously located in the sea near the Zhongsha Islands has intensified into a mild typhoon named Wutip, with an international designation of WUTIP. The central pressure is at 995 hPa, located at 15.5 degrees north latitude and 113.6 degrees east longitude, approximately 570 kilometers north of Taiping Island.
Typhoon Wutip is moving to the west-northwest at a speed of 11 kilometers per hour. Its central pressure is 995 hPa, with the maximum sustained wind speed near the center at 18 meters per second and the maximum gusts reaching 25 meters per second. The radius of gale-force wind averages 80 kilometers in all directions.
At 10:27 a.m. today, the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan issued a strong wind advisory with a yellow alert for New Taipei City, Pingtung County, and Lienchiang County. There is a probability of average winds of Beaufort scale 6 or higher and gusts of Beaufort scale 8 or higher in certain areas of these regions, so caution is advised.
The Central Weather Bureau predicts that by 8 a.m. on the 12th, the center of Typhoon Wutip will be located at 16.6 degrees north latitude and 110.8 degrees east longitude, around 370 kilometers south of Haikou. Navigational activities in the sea near the Zhongsha Islands should be carried out with special attention, and updates on the typhoon’s movement should be monitored regularly.
Despite the path of Typhoon Wutip leading towards Hainan Island and later the Guangdong region, Taiwan is not expected to be directly affected. However, there will be increased moisture levels in Taiwan, with a likelihood of heavy rain particularly in the eastern and southern regions. Coastal areas will experience significantly higher winds and there is a chance of high waves occurring, so safety precautions should be taken for seaside activities.