Inside Taiwan's typhoon playbook: how the island prepares for one of nature's most powerful storms

As Super Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration has issued sea warnings, residents are stocking up on groceries, and one question is dominating conversations across the island: will the typhoon make landfall?

Bavi brings high winds and heavy rain

According to Central Weather Administration (CWA) data, Super Typhoon Bavi had maximum sustained winds of 216 kilometers per hour near its center and a storm radius of 380 kilometers.

Officials warned of wind gusts of 133 kph to 149 kph and as much as 400 millimeters of accumulated rainfall during the storm's peak, with mountainous areas facing the risk of extremely heavy rain.

As the storm drew nearer, authorities suspended ferry services to offshore islands, closed tourist attractions, prepared traffic restrictions and coordinated with airlines to offer flexible ticket changes.

An island built for typhoons

For many foreigners living in or visiting Taiwan, the island's response to tropical storms can seem unfamiliar. From sea and land warnings to school and work closures that vary by city, Taiwan has developed a sophisticated system for dealing with one of the region's most frequent natural hazards.

Taiwan's location on the western edge of the Pacific places it directly along the path of tropical cyclones. Each year, around 25 to 30 tropical storms and typhoons form over the western North Pacific, making it the world's most active typhoon basin. 

On average, three to four of those storms directly affect Taiwan, while others may still bring heavy rain, rough seas, or strong winds even without making landfall. Although storms can develop from May through November, the peak typhoon season typically falls between July and September.

Taiwan's mountainous landscape also plays a major role in how typhoons behave. When a typhoon makes landfall on Taiwan's east coast, the Central Mountain Range can disrupt its lower circulation, often weakening the storm as it crosses the island. In some cases, however, the upper-level circulation survives the crossing or a new center can even redevelop on the western side, allowing the storm to continue moving, albeit usually with reduced intensity.

Inside Taiwan's typhoon playbook

To give the public as much time as possible to prepare, the CWA operates a two-stage warning system — sea warning and land warning.

A sea warning is issued when a typhoon is expected to affect Taiwan's surrounding waters, alerting fishermen, shipping operators and offshore communities to begin precautionary measures. If forecasts show the storm is likely to affect land areas, the CWA issues a land warning, prompting local governments to activate emergency response plans, monitor flood-prone areas and prepare for possible evacuations or transportation disruptions.

One of Taiwan's best-known storm measures is the so-called "typhoon day," a term that often confuses first-time visitors. Despite the name, it is not a national holiday. Instead, city and county governments independently decide whether to suspend work and classes based on overall public safety. Because the storm's impact can differ significantly across the island, one city may suspend work and classes while another remains open.

Even when a typhoon day is declared, daily life does not come to a complete halt. Hospitals and emergency services continue operating, while many convenience stores often remain open, allowing residents to buy food and other essentials. Some restaurants also continue serving customers if conditions permit.

Not just a threat

Although typhoons are often associated with destructive winds and flooding, they also play an important role in Taiwan's water supply. 

According to the CWA, the island frequently experiences dry conditions in spring and parts of winter, particularly in central and southern Taiwan. Reservoirs rely heavily on rainfall brought by summer and autumn typhoons, and after years with weak monsoon rains, a well-timed typhoon can help replenish water reserves and reduce the risk of drought. 

For many Taiwanese, typhoons are therefore seen as both a natural hazard and an important source of freshwater.