Cold air mass to bring chilly weather across Taiwan next week

Taipei, Jan. 4 (CNA) A cold air mass is expected to arrive on Monday, affecting temperatures across Taiwan throughout the week, with lows of under 10 degrees Celsius forecast for areas near mountains and in river valleys, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

On Saturday, temperatures are forecast to rebound during the daytime as the seasonal northeasterly winds subside, the CWA said.

Cloudy to sunny skies will be seen across Taiwan, with highs of 18-20 degrees in northern Taiwan and 21-24 degrees in other parts of the island.

However, a day-night temperature difference of about 10 degrees is predicted in central and southwestern Taiwan, according to CWA data.

Similar weather patterns will continue on Sunday, with chances of sporadic showers in the north, east, and southern mountainous regions, the CWA said.

Starting on Monday, the cold air mass will bring down temperatures through to Friday. Lows will drop to 11-14 degrees in western and northeastern parts of the country and 15 degrees in eastern Taiwan, predicted the CWA.

Daytime highs will hover at 16-18 degrees in northern Taiwan and 20-23 degrees in other parts of the island, the CWA forecast.

Eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula may expect scattered showers while other regions will be cloudy to sunny from Monday to Wednesday.

On Thursday and Friday, sporadic showers may be seen in the north, east and Hengchun Peninsula, whereas other areas will continue to be cloudy to sunny, the CWA said.

While the weather will still be influenced by the cold air mass next Saturday, with chilly weather predicted for northern Taiwan throughout the day and in early mornings and at night in other parts of the country, the CWA said the strength of the cold air is unclear.

It added that recent low temperatures may bring ice on high mountains. There may be chances of snow on mountains higher than 3,000 meters in the early mornings on Sunday and Monday.

There will also be chances of snow on Thursday and Friday on mountains higher than 3,000 meters in northern Taiwan, added the CWA.