Accra:Tropical Storm Champi is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon within the next 24 hours, though its future trajectory remains uncertain, as reported by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Friday. At 2 p.m. Friday, the storm was positioned 3,600 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, progressing west-northwest at 25 km per hour.

According to Focus Taiwan, Champi currently has maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and a radius of 150 km. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng indicated that environmental conditions are favorable for the storm's further development, potentially intensifying into a severe typhoon.

The storm is predicted to continue its west to northwest movement over the next five days, approaching the waters south of the Ryukyu Islands by next Tuesday or Wednesday. It is expected to gradually turn northward on Thursday. However, there is some disagreement among forecast models regarding its subsequent path, with some suggesting a northward turn south of the Ryukyu Islands, while others propose a course closer to Taiwan.

The extent of Champi's northward shift will be influenced by the movement of the Pacific high-pressure system eastward. Hence, its trajectory around next Thursday will require close monitoring to evaluate any potential impact on Taiwan.