Taiwan is now bracing for a direct hit by a category 5 cyclone after the first named tropical storm of the season intensified to category 4 as it moved over warm waters. Windspeeds of 195kph with gusts of up to 240kph are being reported. Forecasters are predicting further intensification to category 5 over the next 24 hours. Headed for #Taiwan. Going hunting for a super #typhoon. Taiwan ain't easy chase turf, but here goes. #NEPARTAK pic.twitter.com/k4uBNB4Ebd — Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone)

Tropical storm Nepartak intensified into a moderate level typhoon over the last 24 hours and tracked closer to Taiwan. The Harbors Bureau announced a stoppage of ferry services on the east coast starting Wednesday July 6, when services will be limited to ferrying tourists on Green Island and Orchid Island back to Taiwan followed, by a full stoppage Thursday and Friday July 7 & 8. The first sea warnings are expected tomorrow. On Taiwan’s west coast, oyster farmers still recuperating

A tropical depression near Guam is expected to intensify to typhoon strength. Nepartak is the first named tropical storm of 2016 after a record spell of 201 days since the last typhoon left the region December 15, 2015. The previous record for typhoon-free days stood at 198, and was reached in 1973 and again in 1998. 0000UTC 03 July 2016 Center Location　8.9N　145.2E Movement ENE 15km/hr Minimum Pressure 998 hpa Maximum Wind Speed 18 m/s Gust 25 m/s Radius of 15m/s