Taipei: A tropical depression near Guam is anticipated to develop into a tropical storm by early Thursday, and further intensify into a typhoon early next week, potentially bringing heavy rain to Taiwan, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Wednesday.

According to Focus Taiwan, CWA forecaster Huang En-hong confirmed that the tropical depression is predicted to transform into this year's 26th tropical storm, named Fung-wong, before advancing west toward the Philippines. Fung-wong is expected to not only intensify but also expand, potentially growing into a typhoon with a radius of approximately 300 kilometers as it approaches the Philippines.

Huang stated that the storm is forecast to make landfall in the Philippines on Monday and subsequently turn north over the Bashi Channel, situated between Taiwan's Orchid Island and the Philippines' Mavulis Island, by Tuesday and Wednesday. The storm's impact on Taiwan is projected to be most significant during these days, posing a risk of extremely heavy rain, particularly in the northern, eastern, and southern parts of the island.

Huang highlighted that the timing of a typhoon warning will be decided once the storm officially forms. Fung-wong's outer circulation is expected to interact with the northeasterly monsoon, which could result in a combined effect, with most rain likely to fall over waters northeast of Taiwan.

The forecaster also noted that the northeasterly monsoon is set to weaken by Thursday morning, resulting in mostly mixed cloudy and sunny conditions until Sunday. Brief showers are anticipated in northeastern and eastern Taiwan, as well as the Greater Taipei area on Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, only coastal regions in northern Taiwan, including Keelung City, mountainous areas of Greater Taipei, eastern regions, and the Hengchun Peninsula in the south are likely to experience scattered brief showers.

As the monsoon diminishes, temperatures in northern Taiwan are expected to rise to around 28-29 degrees Celsius over the weekend, while central and southern areas should remain around 30-31 degrees. The next northeasterly monsoon is anticipated to strengthen on Sunday night, persisting for about a week, and causing a slight temperature drop in northern and northeastern Taiwan.

From Sunday night to Monday, increased moisture on the windward side is likely to result in brief showers in northern Taiwan and the Yilan County area, with a potential for localized heavy rain. Hualien County and Taitung County are also expected to see brief showers. On Tuesday and Wednesday next week, as Taiwan comes under the influence of Fung-wong, northern, eastern, and southern areas will be susceptible to heavy and possibly extremely heavy rain, while the rest of the island will experience brief showers.

Huang advised the public to remain vigilant for significant waves along the coast of Keelung City, eastern Taiwan - including Orchid Island and Green Island - and the Hengchun Peninsula in southern Taiwan starting Saturday.