The Central Weather Administration has issued a land typhoon warning for
Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, and the Hengchun Peninsula.

That's as a sea warning remains in effect for the Bashi Channel and for the
northern and northeastern coastal areas.

Meanwhile the CWA is predicting significant rain in the north and northeast
as the typhoon approaches.

The governments in New Taipei, Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan have said they
make a joint announcement concerning any work and school suspensions at
around 8 o'clock this evening.

The weather administration's forecast center says Typhoon Champi is expected
to weaken as it turns northward due to unfavorable environmental conditions.

However, the storm will still have the greatest effect on Taiwan tomorrow and
on Saturday.

Rain is forecast islandwide tomorrow, with heavy or extremely heavy rain
possible in the north and east into Saturday.

Champi is expected to move away from Taiwan on Saturday and head toward
Japan's Kyushu region.

The weather administration says the typhoon warnings could be lifted as early
as Saturday afternoon, but localized showers are still possible in areas
north of Taoyuan, the east and the Hengchun Peninsula until Monday.

(AH)