Taipei: A tropical depression east of Guam has intensified into Tropical Storm Bavi as of early Thursday, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA). The storm's potential threat to Taiwan remains uncertain due to its current distance from the island.

According to Focus Taiwan, the center of Tropical Storm Bavi was positioned 4,266 kilometers southeast of Taiwan at 8 a.m., advancing west-northwest at 19 kilometers per hour. The storm exhibits maximum sustained winds of up to 64.8 kph near its center, with gusts reaching 90 kph.

CWA forecaster Liu Yu-chi emphasized the uncertainty surrounding Bavi's potential impact on Taiwan, given its remote location. The storm is presently influenced by a Pacific high-pressure system, directing it initially westward. Liu noted that the storm is projected to pass near Guam between Monday and Tuesday, before approaching the Ryukyu Islands, where it is anticipated to shift northward.

However, the precise trajectory of Bavi's northward course and overall path remains uncertain. Liu highlighted that the storm's potential effect on Taiwan will become clearer in the latter part of next week, depending on its position.

In the meantime, another tropical depression in the vicinity of the South China Sea is expected to evolve into a tropical storm by Thursday or Friday. This system is predicted to be weaker than Bavi and is expected to move toward China's Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, posing no threat to Taiwan, Liu mentioned.