Tropical Storm Megi in the Western Pacific; Could Threaten Taiwan

Tom Moore
Published: September 23,2016
Megi is now a tropical storm in the western Pacific Ocean, over 900 miles east-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.
A recent flurry of typhoons in the western Pacific has been very unnerving for residents of Taiwan and the northern Philippines, and it looks like yet another threat is looming.
Conditions are favorable for this system to eventually become a typhoon, and it will be steered in the general direction of Taiwan and the northern Philippines by early next week.
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Current Storm Status

Development and Track

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Megi will be steered toward the west-northwest and then the northwest around the southern periphery of a subtropical ridge.
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The atmospheric and oceanic environments are favorable for this tropical system to develop and intensify. Wind shear is light and ocean temperatures are in the mid-80s.

Projected Path and Intensity

This track should take it in the general direction of Taiwan by early next week. It will likely strengthen to a typhoon, and the forecast is for it to become equivalent to Category 1 or 2 hurricane in strength. Mainland China could also feel impacts from Megi down the road.
It looks like it will move along at a steady pace for a while, but it could slow down over time. All interests in these areas should become aware of the situation and make preparations if necessary.
The time frame on the possible arrival of this tropical system is early next week, but exact timing will become clearer by this weekend.
Keep checking back with weather.com for the latest on the development and track of this potentially threatening tropical system.
MORE: Typhoon Meranti- September 2016