China's weather service keeps blue typhoon warning for Qiangpi east of Taiwan
In short
China's Central Meteorological Observatory kept its blue typhoon warning in place on 22 October for Typhoon Qiangpi (蔷琵), the 30th typhoon of the year, rated super typhoon level. At 05:00 the centre was about 750 km southeast of Taipei with maximum winds of 16 on the scale (55 m/s). The forecast says it will weaken and could approach the northeast coast of Taiwan.
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China's Central Meteorological Observatory continued its blue typhoon warning on 22 October as of 06:00, according to CLS, Yicai and Jiemian. The warning concerns Qiangpi (蔷琵), the 30th typhoon of the year, rated super typhoon level. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
At 05:00 on 22 October the centre was about 750 km southeast of Taipei, at 20.1 N, 126.5 E. Maximum wind near the centre was 16 on the scale (55 m/s) and minimum pressure was 930 hPa. The radius of winds of force 7 was 350-500 km, force 10 was 150-210 km and force 12 was 80-90 km. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The observatory forecast that Qiangpi would move northwest at 15-20 km/h, gradually approaching the northeast coast of Taiwan, with its intensity continuing to weaken. It was forecast to enter the southern East China Sea on the night of 23 October and turn to a northerly heading. On the night of 24 October it was forecast to turn northeast off eastern Zhejiang and head for the coast of southwestern Japan, then become an extratropical cyclone. The forecast adds that grazing the northeast coast of Taiwan is not ruled out. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Jiemian's 22 October piece also gave a gale forecast for 08:00 on 22 October to 08:00 on 23 October. Under the combined influence of cold air and the typhoon, most of the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, waters east of Taiwan, the Bashi Channel and the northeastern South China Sea would see winds of force 6-8 with gusts of 9-10. In parts of the Taiwan Strait, east of Taiwan and the Bashi Channel, winds would reach force 9-11 with gusts of 12-14. It forecast heavy to torrential rain in northern and eastern Taiwan island, with extremely heavy rain of 250-300 mm locally in parts of the northeast. [ 4 ]
Jiemian had reported the previous day's bulletin, issued at 06:00 on 21 October. It put the centre at 05:00 that day about 1,280 km southeast of Taipei at 17.7 N, 131.0 E, with winds above force 17 (65 m/s) and pressure of 910 hPa. It forecast a west-northwest movement at 20-25 km/h towards waters east of Taiwan with little change in intensity. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The forecasts cited by the outlets point to strong winds over the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and waters east of Taiwan. Jiemian also reported heavy rain for northern and eastern Taiwan island.
Key facts
- At 05:00 on 22 October the centre of Qiangpi (蔷琵), the 30th typhoon of the year, was about 750 km southeast of Taipei, at 20.1 N, 126.5 E. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Maximum wind near the centre was 16 on the scale (55 m/s) and minimum pressure was 930 hPa; the storm is rated super typhoon level. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Qiangpi is forecast to move northwest at 15-20 km/h towards the northeast coast of Taiwan, with its intensity continuing to weaken. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The forecast has it entering the southern East China Sea on the night of 23 October and turning northeast near eastern Zhejiang on the night of 24 October, then heading for the coast of southwestern Japan and becoming an extratropical cyclone. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Jiemian reported forecast heavy rain for northern and eastern Taiwan island from 08:00 on 22 October to 08:00 on 23 October, with local extremely heavy rain of 250-300 mm in parts of the northeast. [ 4 ]
- The day before, on 21 October at 05:00, the centre was about 1,280 km southeast of Taipei with maximum wind above 17 on the scale (65 m/s) and pressure of 910 hPa. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Whether Qiangpi will graze the northeast coast of Taiwan. The forecast says it is not ruled out, but it also gives a track of approaching the northeast coast of Taiwan and then moving into the southern East China Sea.
- The Central Meteorological Observatory continued its blue typhoon warning for Qiangpi on 22 October as of 06:00. Reported by a single source so far
- Qiangpi's centre was at 20.1 N, 126.5 E at 05:00 on 22 October, with wind of 16 on the scale (55 m/s) and pressure of 930 hPa. Reported by a single source so far
- The forecast does not rule out the storm grazing the northeast coast of Taiwan. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 21 October the centre of Qiangpi was about 1,280 km southeast of Taipei with winds above 17 on the scale (65 m/s). [ 1 ]
- On 21 October the Central Meteorological Observatory continued the blue typhoon warning. [ 1 ]
- On 22 October the centre was about 750 km southeast of Taipei with winds of 16 on the scale (55 m/s) and pressure of 930 hPa. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- On 22 October the Central Meteorological Observatory again continued the blue typhoon warning. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Forecast period of gales and heavy rain for the 24 hours to 08:00 on 23 October begins on 22 October. [ 4 ]