A strong typhoon has skirted past most of the Philippines but appears to be gaining strength and heading directly for Taiwan this weekend, forecasters said. Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau has issued a typhoon warning as it tracks the storm. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Chanthu is forecast to intensify up to 127mph over the next 12 hours, before slightly weakening ahead of reaching Taiwan. “Further weakening will begin on Sunday as the typhoon begins to interact with the rugged terrain of Taiwan but will remain within typhoon category throughout the forecast period,” the agency said. Typhoons are called hurricanes in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific and eastern North Pacific, but are the same weather phenomenon.

Source: Irish Independent September 10, 2021 06:56 UTC