The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) says that about three to five typhoons are likely to hit Taiwan this summer.
A meteorologist with the bureau, Cheng Ming-dean, said Friday that it’s possible the typhoons will strike the island in late July or August.
“The number of typhoons [we are predicting] is within the normal range," said Cheng.
"When it comes to the strength, the likelihood that we’ll see the formation of more powerful typhoons is relatively higher this year due to the El Nino effect. That’s because typhoons are more likely to form in the center of the Pacific Ocean, which means they’ll stay over the ocean longer.”
Cheng said that while the typhoons could be fairly strong, the chance of seeing a super typhoon is quite slim.
Cheng also said that dry weather and higher temperatures are expected in September, and that will lower the chances of a typhoon striking Taiwan in the fall.