The transition from spring into summer spells an end to long bouts of drizzle, and invites fierce downpours, usually in the evenings. But these sporadic storms cannot compare to the South Pacific’s fiercest natural phenomenon, typhoons.

Typhoons occur in the summer, usually in July and August. "Typhoon" is another way of saying "hurricane", which is another way of saying wind and rain, more wind and rain and even more wind and rain. Typhoons range from small to super; a "small" typhoon is a bad storm, a "super" typhoon is outright frightening. Having said that, as long as you follow some simple rules, there is nothing to worry about. Don’t go out in a typhoon (see Medical Attention), and be careful immediately after a typhoon (for fallen power cables). Store water, candles and batteries. Typhoons are usually huge, and easily cover the entirety of Taiwan. Likewise, a typhoon is rarely known to sneak up on an unwary population. There is ample warning of their approach, usually 2 to 3 days. You will have plenty of time to prepare yourself and your belongings, and will be contacted in the event of work cancellation due to a typhoon.

Fluctuations in weather depend greatly on geography. Similar to Japan, Taiwan has a "spine" of mountains that run generally north to south. The mountains are quite impressive at points, some high enough to retain snow given the right conditions. It goes without saying that such high elevations will consistently proffer cooler temperatures than the low-lying areas. As for the cities, humanity has played an unfortunate role in something that could be labeled, "The Mexico City Effect." Ringed by mountains, Taipei is a perfect example of an urban area that sits at the feet of a natural wall. This mountainous wall protects the city from potentially disastrous typhoon winds and other air-borne threats, but just as effectively prohibits artificial toxins and industrial pollution from escaping. Consequently, as hot as Taiwan can get in the summer, pollution further aggravates the effect of the heat and air on both lungs and skin. Once again, showering frequently is a necessary antidote to particularly rank summer days.

Typhoons, for their part, are a godsend. These storms are an example of nature dipping into a stagnant bowl of mountains and blowing out the unseemly sediment. About once a month a major storm will pass through and really air-out the cities. Obviously such natural phenomenon simply relocates the pollution to some less fortunate city (usually across the strait), and this has actually resulted in Taiwan developing an Environmental Protection Agency. Still something of an infant agency, the problem of pollution and its effect on both landscape and meteorological conditions is finally being addressed. Thankfully, this distinguishes Taiwan, and specifically Taipei from any further comparisons to Mexico City.

Typhoon survival tips:

• Store household chemicals on a bottom shelf of a closed cabinet.
• Never store bleach and ammonia in the same cabinet. These chemicals when mixed, will create a toxic gas as deadly as any ever created.
• Remember that you might not have any choice as to where you will be located when a disaster strikes. The best places inside the house are under major beams that are secured to the rest of the structure, or in strong doorways, or inner structural walls.
• Find out where the utility shutoffs are for water, power, and gas.
• Home is where you can do the most to be prepared. But remember that you are only home for about 1/2 of the hours in a day. You must also be prepared at work.

Store the following items:

• First aid manual
• Extra prescription medications
• Aspirin or Ibuprofen
• Flashlight
• Long life candles