Taipei: Fourteen typhoons or tropical storms formed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean during July and August, tying the record for the most such storms during that period, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Wednesday.

According to Focus Taiwan, CWA Weather Forecast Center Director Huang Treng-shi stated at a press conference that the 14 storms significantly surpassed the climatological normal (30-year average) of 9.3. This level of activity ties a record previously reached in 1967, 1994, 1996, and 2018.

Of these storms, the CWA issued land or sea warnings for four - Typhoons Bavi, Noul, Dolphin, and Saudel - while also monitoring an extreme rainfall event on August 22, as mentioned by Huang.

Huang noted that Taiwan recorded an average temperature in July and August of 28.9 degrees Celsius, which is 0.1 degrees above the 30-year average. Total rainfall during the two-month period reached 754.7 millimeters, exceeding the average by more than 20 percent. Notably, Tainan's weather station recorded its highest-ever total for that period, and Kaohsiung logged its highest total since relocating in 2022.

Regarding Taiwan's autumn forecast, Huang indicated that El Nino conditions are expected to result in above-average temperatures, while rainfall levels will be normal or slightly below average. The CWA forecasts that 10-12 typhoons or tropical storms will form in the Northwest Pacific from September through November, which aligns with the average. The number of storms approaching Taiwan is also anticipated to be within the normal range, Huang added.

The El Nino event is also likely to bring above-average temperatures this winter and wetter-than-average weather next spring to Taiwan, according to Huang.