2 more tropical storms brewing to east of Taiwan

台灣東方兩個熱帶風暴擾動

2 tropical depressions to east of Taiwan could soon become 25th, 26 tropical storms of year

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two tropical depressions churning in the Western Pacific Ocean to the east of Taiwan have the potential of becoming tropical storms, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB).

CWB forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said that two tropical depressions loitering in the Western Pacific Ocean could soon form into tropical storms Fengshen (風神) and Kalmaegi (海鷗), the 25th and 26th tropical storms of the year, respectively. Chang said that moisture from the one nearest to Taiwan could shift north to the east coast, but the degree of uncertainty is still high and more observation is needed.

According to observations by the CWB, as of 2 a.m. this morning (Nov. 12), there was a tropical depression located south-southwest of Wake Island. Also at 2 a.m. this morning, another tropical depression was spotted in the waters east of the Philippines.

(CWB map of two storms' predicted paths)

The CWB predicts both will develop into "mild typhoons" (輕度颱風). Chang said that the conditions of the depression near Wake Island make it more likely to become a typhoon.

Chang predicted that the one near Wake island will likely move northwest before moving northeast and that it is unlikely to hit any landmasses. As for the tropical depression near the Philippines, Chang said that the development conditions are not particularly good, as wind shear is especially strong, and that it may take longer to become a tropical storm.

Chang predicted that the tropical depression near the Philippines will likely become a tropical storm on Wednesday (Nov. 13) or Thursday (Nov. 14). Chang said that moisture from the storm could shift northward and reach the east coast of Taiwan by the weekend, but he noted that there is a high degree of variability and said more observation is needed.

GEFS combined models for tropical depression near Wake Island. (tropicaltidbits.com map)

GEFS combined models for tropical depression near Philippines. (tropicaltidbits.com map)