Tropical depression forms, Taiwan to China and Japan remain on alert for potential impacts from strengthening storm

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

On the heels of four tropical cyclones that made landfall in eastern Asia thus far in August, a new tropical threat has developed in the Western Pacific Ocean. A tropical depression took shape over the Philippine Sea on Tuesday and is expected to become better organized as the week progresses.

There are two possible tracks for the trajectory and strength of this new tropical system, putting areas from Taiwan and China to Japan at risk for impacts by the end of this week.

As the storm strengthens, open waters across the northern Philippine Sea will turn increasingly rough and dangerous for shipping interests this week. Hazards may then spread to land, depending on the storm's strength and path.

One scenario will take the new tropical threat on a northwest track toward Taiwan and eastern China, thus giving it a path to strengthen into a tropical storm or typhoon.

Northern Luzon would likely escape the worst impacts from the storm but may endure a period of rain and gusty winds from late Friday into Saturday.

Satellite image showing a newly formed tropical depression east of the Philippines on Tuesday afternoon, local time. (Japan Meteorological Agency/Himawari 8 Satellite)

The track of this tropical system will put Taiwan at risk for a direct hit by as early as Saturday with strong winds and downpours arriving on Friday night.

Taiwan would be at risk for potential impacts ranging from heavy rainfall to damaging winds and mudslides.

A continued track toward the northwest would then put locations across eastern China at risk for similar impacts before the end of the weekend.

If the storm were to make landfall in Taiwan it would be in a weaker state when it reaches China; however, if the storm passes just north or south of the island, China could then be at risk for landfall from a powerful typhoon.

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A second scenario would spare Taiwan and China from any direct impacts from the tropical system as it would instead turn northward toward Japan and then Ryukyu Islands.

Rain and gusty winds could reach the Ryukyu Islands as early as Friday with downpours stretching into Japan from Saturday into Sunday.

In this scenario it is unlikely that the tropical system would strengthen significantly, but it could still reach tropical storm status.

The West Pacific may remain active through the end of August with multiple areas being monitored for potential tropical development next week.

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