Cold air mass sends mercury down to 7.7℃ in Keelung

Taipei, Nov. 18 (CNA) A cold air mass sent temperatures plunging in Taiwan early Saturday, with Keelung in the north registering the lowest temperature of any low-lying area on the island, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The mercury in Keelung hit a low of 7.7 degrees Celsius at 5:25 a.m. Saturday, which was the lowest recorded temperature of any low-lying area in Taiwan as of 9:30 a.m.

Based on CWA data, Miaoli County's Gongguan Township, Taoyuan's Daxi District and New Taipei's Xizhi District also recorded lows between 7.9 degrees and 8.9 degrees in the morning.

The weather administration has issued cold surge advisories for New Taipei, Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua and Nantou, warning that temperatures in those areas could dip below 10 degrees between Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, clear sunny weather is expected nationwide Saturday, with highs of 18-20 degrees forecast in northern Taiwan as well as in Yilan and Hualien counties in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country, the CWA said.

Highs of between 22-26 degrees are expected in other parts of the island.

According to the CWA, the cold air mass will weaken on Monday, and temperatures will gradually rise before seasonal northeasterly winds strengthened on Nov. 24, which will bring brief showers to northern and eastern Taiwan.

➤ Please visit the Central Weather Administration's website for the latest forecast and advisories.