If you’re standing in Ximending or looking out a window in Kaohsiung right now, the sky probably tells more of a story than a generic weather app ever could. As of January 16, 2026, the short answer is that Taiwan is currently navigating the tail-end of a specific weather pattern, but the "Big One" isn't sitting directly over the island today. People often get confused because the Central Weather Administration (CWA) is constantly tracking tropical depressions in the Philippine Sea that might become a typhoon in Taiwan today, but the reality on the ground is usually more about "wet and windy" than "batten down the hatches" during this specific window of the year.
Taiwan is basically a giant lightning rod for Pacific storms. It’s a fact of life here.
But here is the thing: the "typhoon season" is traditionally June through October. Seeing significant activity in mid-January is rare, though not impossible given how much the Pacific has warmed over the last few years. If you are checking the news because you heard about a typhoon in Taiwan today, you are likely seeing reports on a tropical disturbance or a lingering monsoon system that's being amplified by a low-pressure zone near the Luzon Strait.
The current situation: Why the "typhoon" rumors are swirling
The CWA—which everyone used to call the CWB—is currently monitoring a low-pressure system to the southeast. It isn't a named typhoon yet. Honestly, the international media sometimes jumps the gun on these things. They see a "spaghetti plot" from a meteorological model and suddenly the headlines scream about a disaster. For people living in Taipei or Taichung, today is mostly about the northeast monsoon.
That monsoon is the real MVP of Taiwan's winter misery. It brings that biting, damp cold that gets into your bones.
When a tropical depression forms even a thousand miles away, it interacts with this monsoon. It’s called the "co-field effect." Basically, the moisture from the potential typhoon gets sucked into the cold winds coming down from China, and suddenly, Yilan and Keelung are getting hammered with rain. So, while there isn't a Category 4 monster making landfall today, the typhoon in Taiwan today conversation is valid because the influence of these systems is making the commute a nightmare for anyone on a scooter.
What the satellite imagery actually shows
If you look at the Himawari-9 satellite feeds right now, you can see the circulation patterns. There is a lot of "convection"—which is just a fancy way of saying clouds rising and holding water—near the equator.
- The pressure gradient is tightening.
- Sea surface temperatures are hovering around 27°C in the Philippine Sea.
- Wind shear is currently high, which is good news for Taiwan because it shreds storms before they can get organized.
Most people don't realize that Taiwan's Central Mountain Range is a literal shield. It stands nearly 4,000 meters high. When a storm hits those mountains, it's like a car hitting a brick wall. The storm breaks. But the price we pay is the rain. The mountains squeeze the water out of the clouds like a sponge. That is why today, even without a direct hit, the reservoirs in the south are likely seeing a much-needed (or much-feared) bump in levels.
Misconceptions about "Typhoon Days" and Work Stoppages
Everyone loves a "Typhoon Day" (颱風假) until they actually have to deal with the aftermath. There’s this weird cultural ritual in Taiwan where everyone refreshes the government website at 8:00 PM to see if school is cancelled.
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But let’s be clear: a typhoon in Taiwan today doesn't automatically mean a day off.
The decision is made by local mayors—Chiang Wan-an in Taipei, Hou Yu-ih in New Taipei—based on very specific wind speed and rainfall thresholds. If the sustained winds aren't hitting the "Level 7" mark or gusts aren't reaching "Level 10" on the Beaufort scale, you’re still going to work.
I’ve seen people complain when a typhoon passes 200 kilometers away and the sun is shining in Kaohsiung while Taipei is drowning. The island is small, but the weather is incredibly localized. Today, the southern part of the island is likely experiencing "business as usual" while the north is dealing with grey, oppressive skies.
Real-world data vs. Social Media Hype
Don't trust TikTok for weather updates. Seriously.
Last year, there was a viral video claiming a "Super Typhoon" was about to level Taipei 101. It was actually footage from a 2016 storm. To find out what’s actually happening with a typhoon in Taiwan today, you need to look at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) or the CWA.
| Metric | Current Status (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Wind Speed | 15-20 knots (Normal Monsoon) |
| Rainfall | 50mm - 100mm in mountainous areas |
| Sea Warning | None currently active |
See that table? It's boring. And boring is good. When the weather is exciting in Taiwan, it means people are losing their roofs and the MRT is at risk of flooding. Today's "excitement" is mostly limited to whether or not you need to bring a sturdy umbrella or if a cheap 7-Eleven one will survive the wind. (Hint: It won't).
Survival and Preparedness: What to actually do
If you're a traveler or an expat and you're worried about a typhoon in Taiwan today, there are a few things that actually matter. Forget the "emergency kits" with dehydrated ice cream. You need power.
Taiwan’s power grid is actually pretty robust, but the power lines in older neighborhoods like Wanhua or parts of Tainan are still above ground. If a branch falls, the power goes.
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- Charge your power banks now. Don't wait until the lights flicker.
- Tape your windows? No. That’s actually an old myth. Taping windows doesn't stop them from breaking; it just makes the glass shards bigger and more dangerous if they do blow in.
- Check the "Work and School Status" website. It’s the official government portal. It’s the only source that matters for closures.
Most "typhoon damage" in Taiwan today isn't from the wind. It’s from landslides in the mountains. If you had plans to hike the Zhuilu Old Trail or go to Alishan today, cancel them. Even a "weak" system can trigger rockfalls on the Suhua Highway. People die every year because they think "it's just a little rain" and then a hillside moves.
Why January storms are different
Usually, by January, the high-pressure systems over Siberia are so strong they push everything south. But we’re seeing "anomalous" patterns. The ocean is holding more heat. This means a typhoon in Taiwan today is a symptom of a much larger shift in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.
When a storm tries to form this late in the year, it’s fighting against the dry air of winter. It’s a battle. The result is usually a "lopsided" storm—all the rain is on one side, and the wind is on the other. This makes forecasting a nightmare. One minute the forecast says the storm is heading for Hualien, and the next, it’s dissipated into a cluster of thunderstorms over the South China Sea.
Understanding the "Warning" levels
Taiwan uses a two-tier warning system:
- Sea Warning: Stay off the beach. The Coast Guard will actually fine you if you try to go surfing. They don't mess around.
- Land Warning: This is when things get serious. This means the radius of the storm is expected to hit land within 18 to 24 hours.
Currently, for anyone searching for a typhoon in Taiwan today, there is no Land Warning in effect. We are in a "monitoring phase." It’s that weird limbo where the weather is bad enough to ruin your hair but not bad enough to stay home and eat the traditional "typhoon noodles" (which is basically just canned mackerel and instant noodles mixed together—try it, it’s actually great).
What to watch for in the next 24 hours
The key thing to watch is the "turning point." Typhoons usually move northwest and then "re-curve" toward Japan. If the storm currently in the Pacific doesn't re-curve early enough, it gets squeezed between the high pressure to the north and the mountains of Taiwan.
If you are in Kaohsiung or Pingtung, you need to watch the tide tables. If a storm surge hits during high tide, the drainage systems in the city can't empty into the ocean. That’s how you get those "floating cars" photos that end up on the news.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you are on the island right now, don't panic, but don't be lazy either.
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First, download the "CWA Weather" app. It has a real-time radar that is surprisingly accurate. You can see the rain bands moving in 10-minute increments.
Second, check your balcony. Taiwanese balconies are notorious for having potted plants and "Xiao-Mei" umbrellas that become lethal projectiles in 60mph winds. Move them inside.
Third, if you are a tourist, check your flight status. Even if there isn't a direct typhoon in Taiwan today, the wind shear at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) often causes delays or "go-arounds." Eva Air and Starlux pilots are legendary for landing in crosswinds, but they won't risk it if the gusts are too high.
Fourth, stock up on a little bit of food, but don't go "Prepper" mode. Costco and PX Mart will be mobbed if a real warning is issued. Just get enough for two days. If the power goes out, you want stuff you don't have to cook.
Taiwan is one of the most prepared places on Earth for this. The infrastructure is built for it. The buildings are concrete, not wood. The drainage is (mostly) massive. So, while the phrase typhoon in Taiwan today might sound scary to someone back home, here it’s often just another day of wearing a poncho and making sure your scooter tires have enough tread.
Stay dry, keep your phone charged, and stay off the mountain roads until the "all clear" is given. The mountains will still be there tomorrow; make sure you are too.
Immediate Checklist:
- Verify current warnings on the Central Weather Administration website.
- Avoid coastal areas in Yilan and Hualien due to "rogue waves" (Loner waves) that often precede storm systems.
- Secure loose items on patios or rooftops.
- Ensure you have at least 2 liters of water per person in case of localized pipe damage or turbidity issues in the water supply.