CWB forecasts colder temperatures, rain for Lunar New Year holiday

Taipei, Jan. 28 (CNA) Temperatures will fluctuate from 12-19 degrees Celsius in northern Taiwan and 15-24 degrees in southern areas over the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, with snow possible at elevations above 3,000 meters, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB).

As cloud systems move in from the south, most of the country will experience colder temperatures throughout the nine-day holiday that will begin on Jan. 29 and run through Feb. 6, according to CWB forecaster Lo Ya-yin (羅雅尹).

There is a high chance of rainfall across the nation from Friday until Tuesday and Wednesday, Lo said, while Keelung and the northern coast, southeastern Taiwan, and the Hengchun Peninsula in southern Taiwan could even see torrential downpours.

The temperature will continue to fall on Sunday, likely to the level of a continental cold air mass, she added, predicting that early Monday morning will see the coldest weather of the holiday.

Temperatures in the north could go as low as 12-14 degrees, Lo said, with central and southern parts of the country experiencing lows of 14-15 degrees, but with a smaller chance of rain.

If the moisture and temperature reach the right conditions, snow could fall at altitudes above 3,000 meters which will result in icy conditions on roads, she warned.

Easterly winds on Tuesday are expected to increase temperature slightly until Wednesday, when a passing cold front will cause the mercury to plunge again until Feb. 5-6, Lo added.

Atmospheric moisture is forecast to drop on those days, reducing the chance of rain, with only windward locations in the north and eastern parts of the country experiencing sporadic rain, she said.

Finally, mist could affect visibility in western Taiwan and the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu next Wednesday and Thursday, Lo said, warning motorists to be drive carefully.