Seasonal winds could gain strength, plunging mercury to 19 degrees

Taipei, Oct. 27 (CNA) A seasonal northeasterly wind system is expected to start gaining momentum from Thursday, and the mercury in Taiwan could dip to as low as 19 degrees Celsius over the weekend, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB).

Kuan Hsin-ping (官欣平), a CWB forecaster, said on Wednesday that the strength of the wind system is expected to become more apparent on Friday and Saturday, and temperatures in areas north of central Taiwan could range between 19 and 20 degrees in the early morning over the weekend.

Daytime temperatures in these areas could hit around 25 degrees, Kuan said, adding, however, the temperature in open and spacious areas could be lower.

In southern Taiwan, where the wind system could be weaker, daytime temperatures could stay at around 30 degrees, Kuan said. However, the forecaster urged people in southern Taiwan to remain alert to a wide daytime-night temperature differential.

Kuan said the seasonal winds are unlikely to bring much moisture to Taiwan, while showers are possible in Keelung, the northeastern coastal area, and eastern Taiwan, in particular Yilan County.

For the greater Taipei area, Kuan said sporadic rainfall is expected until Friday, while precipitation is likely to increase on Saturday.

Starting from Wednesday night, Kuan said, strong winds are forecast for areas between Taoyuan and Tainan, southeastern Taiwan, and the Hengchun Peninsula in the south, as well as the outlying Penghu and Kinmen islands.

The forecaster said high waves are possible for Keelung, the northeastern coastal area, eastern Taiwan, and Hengchun Peninsula, also starting from Wednesday night.

Tropical Storm Malou, which continues to move to Japan, is unlikely to have a direct impact on Taiwan, although it is possible the storm might be upgraded to a typhoon, Kuan said.