Tropical Storms Poised to Bring Flooding, Typhoon Winds to the West Pacific

A pair of tropical storms is taking aim at China, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Read on for the dual threat that is targeting this part of the West Pacific by the weekend.

Two Tropical Weather Events Likely to Impact the West Pacific in One Week

Two tropical depressions currently churning in the West Pacific are forecast to begin to impact the northern Philippines, the southern edges of Taiwan and China, and Hong Kong heading into the new week. The first feature, known as Mirasol in the Philippines, is expected to grow as it reaches the South China Sea.

Mirasol is likely to become an official tropical storm before moving to the northwest. The latest forecast models show the storm coming ashore in the Guangdong province of southern China by the end of the day on Friday. Potential impacts include flash flooding, mudslides, disruptions to transportation, and property damage.

Heavy rain is also in the forecast for the northern Philippines. This impact zone includes the Batanes and the Babuyan Islands. The worst of the storm is expected to wrap up by late Thursday across the Philippines and southern Taiwan.

The Guangdong province of China and Hong Kong will be up next with the storm expected to roar across this region on Friday and Saturday. Forecasters are warning that rainfall amounts are likely to exceed 8 inches, with up to a foot possible in the hardest-hit areas.

Gusty winds hitting up to 60 mph are in the forecast for the northern coast of Luzon, the Babuyan Islands, and Batanes, as well as the southern coastal region of Taiwan on Thursday. The southern coast of China and Hong Kong will feel the impacts of the winds on Friday and into the overnight hours.

Details of the Second Tropical Weather Maker in the West Pacific

Yet another tropical depression is forecast to intensify as it creeps to the northwest in the Philippine Sea in the days ahead. This feature is expected to take a more westerly journey beginning this weekend, likely reaching the status of a tropical storm before that time. There is also the chance that this developing storm could turn into the season's first super typhoon by early next week.

The forecast models for this monster storm project a path through the Luzon Strait to start the week, eventually moving into southern China after that. The storm could dump up to 2 feet of rain, capable of triggering mass flooding and mudslides. Winds of up to 150 mph could cause catastrophic structural damage, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Just when much of the region is recovering from the first tropical event, another surge of moisture is on tap for the northern Philippines and the southern and eastern portions of Taiwan. This surge of moisture is expected to fire up across the region late in the day on Monday.

Once again, winds as high as 140 mph will whip across northern Luzon, Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and southern Taiwan. These ferocious winds will not ease until at least Wednesday.

While it is still too early to predict with certainty, the typhoon could reach southern China and Hong Kong by late next week. There is a chance that the storm could evolve into a strong typhoon by the time it reaches this part of Asia.

There have been eight typhoons that have come to life in the West Pacific since June. The next two names up on the list for this basin are Mitag and Ragasa. Although typhoons can pop up at any time of the year in this corner of the world, the primary development time is between June and August. September is considered a peak month of activity.

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