By Adam Douty, Meteorologist
August 2,2015; 9:45PM,EDT
Typhoon Soudelor in the western Pacific Ocean will continue to strengthen over the coming days, eventually threatening Taiwan, eastern China late this week or next weekend.
Soudelor, now located to the west of Guam and the northern Mariana Islands will continue to depart the area after bringing powerful winds and downpours on Sunday night.
The center of the storm passed directly over the island of Saipan, to the north of Guam with Category 2 hurricane-force winds.
Winds to near 170 kph (105 mph) were reported on Saipan as the eyewall of Soudelor passed over the island. Guam to the south was largely spared any damaging winds as gusts reached 50-65 kph (30-40 mph) for several hours.
Bouts of heavy downpours may remain across the Mariana Islands, well into next week abundant moisture remains across the islands, even though Typhoon Soudelor has pulled away from the region.
Soudelor will continue to strengthen while it crosses the northern Philippines Sea on its way towards eastern Asia. Warm ocean water and low wind shear will allow for significant strengthening and the typhoon could reach the equivalent strengthen of a Category 4 or 5 hurricane by the middle of next week.
RELATED:
Weather Pacific Typhoon Center
Guam Interactive Satellite
AccuWeather Forecast for Taipei
Despite being a week out, there is growing confidence that Taiwan, eastern China and the southern Ryukyu Islands will have to contend with Soudelor as early as Thursday night or Friday, with continued impacts into next week.
The tropical system is still expected to be a significant typhoon during this time, so residents from Shanghai to Taipei should being making initial preparations for the storm.
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