Taipei records hottest June day in 124 years

Taipei, June 29 (CNA) The mercury in Taipei rose to 38.9 degrees Celsius on Monday, the highest temperature ever recorded in the city in the month of June since the Taipei weather station was established in 1896, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB).

The high temperature, recorded at 1:15 p.m., was due to a Pacific high pressure system, prevailing hot dry southwest winds, and the geographical features of the Taipei Basin, the CWB said.

In other parts of the country, the mercury soared past 36 degrees in New Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua and Kaohsiung on Monday, according to the CWB.

The bureau on Monday also issued heat warnings for 13 cities and counties around Taiwan, including an "orange" alert for Taipei that signaled a high of 38 degrees during the day.

An "orange" alert was also issued for Hualien, Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin, and Kaohsiung, warning of a maximum temperature of 36 degrees for three consecutive days.

For New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Taitung and Yilan, the CWB issued a "yellow" heat warning that signaled a high of 36 degrees on Monday.