Enough Typhoon Tambin Report!

The railroad system in the south is effected by the typhoon. Some schedules have been changed. The entire island is under the thread of typhoon Tembin, especial in the southern part of Taiwan.  The Alishan Scenic Area is closed.

Info: TCWB official website  http://www.cwb.gov.tw

Info: TCWB official website  http://www.cwb.gov.tw

A Ghost-Like Typhoon Tembin

     As the tropical Storm Tembin regained its strength  and became a typhoon again, Taiwan Central Weather Bureau announced the sea warning at 11:30 AM on Aug 26 again. The weather bureau would probably issue the land warning again. Tembin is most likely to make landfall in Pintung County and then go north along the east coast which would effect the entire island. The south crossing island railroad has been shut down since its first landfall and still is under repair. Also many areas are still without a power supply, phone and internet services. So be precaution when traveling to Pintung County and Taitung County. 

TCWB predicted Tembin's Path 

The regaining strength of Tembin at 9 AM, Aug. 26
Via 鄭明典's Photos  

The precised typhoon path prediction has became a
competition among international weather bureaus like
CNN, Japan, Hong kong, the United States, and the 
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, 
and Taiwan. It was interesting to study their predictions.
Photo Source:陳旭昇  

Fujiwhara Effect: Most weather experts worried about Typhoon Tembin and Bolaven would create the effect which was discovered by the Japanese Dr. Fujiwhara during 1921 to 1923. These two typhoons have influenced each other which would bring more damages to Taiwan and Okinawa which Typhoon Bolaven is heading towards. 

Picture Source: 氣象達人彭啟明

     In meteorology, 'Fujiwhara effect' applies to the interaction of two tropical
     cyclones. In general, two tropical cyclones may start to affect each other when
     the distance between them is around 12 latitude degrees (about 1350
     kilometers). When this occurs, The tropical cyclones will rotate around one
     another in a counter-clockwise direction (in Northern Hemisphere) about their
     geometric centre. The centre needs not be the middle of the axis. The stronger
     cyclone tends to have a dominant effect on the track of the weaker one. The
     interaction will end when: there is a stronger influence of a large scale weather
     system from outside, one of the tropical cyclones weakens or the two
     cyclones merge. Research by the Observatory shows that if the distance
     between the two tropical cyclones is 1200 kilometers or more, the chance of
     merging is slim.

The interaction of two tropical cyclones

Above information is from : http://www.hko.gov.hk/education/edu01met/wxphe/ele_fujiwhara_e.htm

The Aftermath of Typhoon Tembin

     Typhoon Tembin was no predicted to make landfall in Pintung County. Its damage to Taiwan was smaller than the expectation. It caused major power and flood problems in Pintung County (Kenting) and in Taitung County. Also agricultural product prices are being driven up because of crop losses.   

     But, it also caused some political disputes over the county governor's and city mayors decisions of announcing a day-off  during the typhoon period in the media and the public. Only the governor of Tainan made the right decision for not issuing a day-off when the typhoon hit Taiwan because Tainan was not in danger. 

     The strength of Tembin has weaken, but many weather experts predict it would make a circle and pass by the east parts of Taiwan to north. It could cause some problems in Taiwan again. We will have to wait and see, so be cautious.

Source: Taiwan Central Weather Bureau

Damages in Pintung County: 

Above Picture Source: http://news.msn.com.tw/news2795099.aspx

Picture Source: CTS
http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/08/25/typhoon-tembin-tears-through-taiwan?videoId=237279322

Typhoon Tembin

8/24 Update:
Pingtung Peninsular has already accumulated more than 350 mm (138 inch) of rain within 3.5 hours. Some places are flooded. So be cautious when you are in the south of Taiwan. (The news was from my FB friends.)
Taiwan Railroad is cancelled its partial service toady. The government offices, including schools which are in the south of Taichung except Tainan City are closed. 

  


8/23 Typhoon Tembin is moving slower than expected.   Its route is also changed. Typhoon Bolaven is behind Tembin which may effect on the northeast.  

This info was issued by TCWB at 8:30 AM, Aug. 23

The sea and land warning area by TCWB 

This prediction just came in from my FB friend who
is an expert about weather. According to this prediction
which was issued this morning, Typhoon Tembin would
effect in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pintung areas for more
than 108 hours.
Picture Source : https://www.facebook.com/StevenChen66

If Typhoon Tembin goes as  the European Centre for
Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF, the Centre)
prediction (on 8/22 15:00 PM), it would be a big disaster 
for Taiwan.
 Picture Source : https://www.facebook.com/StevenChen66

What Is Going On With The Weather Pattern In The Pacific?

This photo was posted by the director of Weather Forecast Center of TCWB. It is not a good sign to see this pattern near by Taiwan. I just hope it will bypass Taiwan. 

Picture Source: 鄭明典's FB Page on Aug 19
https://www.facebook.com/mdc.cwb?v=wall

     Typhoon Tembin Prediction by TCWB: 

TCWB doesn't issue any warning on Typhoon Tembin 
yet. It is under observation by TCWB.  

Typhoon Tembin is now Category 4. Picture Source: 陳旭昇's FB Page on Aug 20. https://www.facebook.com/StevenChen66

Picture Source: 鄭明典's FB Page on Aug 20.

Update: 

Another typhoon Bolaven is formed. It is busy in the sky's of the Pacific Ocean. 

The First Day, Aug 17 Of Ghost Month

     August 17 is the first day of ghost month which is in lunar July. What does it mean? Taiwanese believes it is the day that the hell opens its gates and let all ghosts out of hell to have one month summer vacation on the earth. The ghosts will go back to hell on the last day of lunar July.   

This was a ritual ceremony before the deity patrols a
village to get rid of bad spirits. They were the deity's
generals who performed their duty to warn off the devils. 

Tropic Storm Kai-Tak

8/15 Update:

TCWB predicted that Typhoon Kai-Tak won't make landfall in Taiwan. However, it will cause heavy rainfall in the south and southeast parts of Taiwan.  

8.14

Taiwan Central Weather Bureau might announce a sea warning in the afternoon and issue a land warning tonight or tomorrow morning. The entire island will rain tomorrow. 

The commuter boat schedules to Green Island will be canceled on Aug. 15.