Frigid, dry weather forecast for Lunar New Year: CWA

Taipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) "Extremely cold" and dry weather is forecast across much of Taiwan as the country prepares for Lunar New Year's eve and day on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

From Monday night through Wednesday morning, temperatures nationwide could drop below 10 degrees Celsius, while areas north of Taichung could see temperatures as low as 6 degrees from Monday into Tuesday, the CWA said.

Daytime high temperatures, meanwhile, will mostly remain in the low teens in the north, the upper teens in central areas and the upper teens to low-20s in the south on Tuesday and Wednesday, the agency's 7-day forecast showed.

During that period, mostly sunny conditions are expected across Taiwan, making for comfortable weather during the day but with fast-dropping temperatures as night falls, said independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮).

On Thursday and Friday, temperatures will gradually rebound, with mostly sunny skies on Thursday giving way to increasing cloud cover on Friday, Wu said.

On Saturday and Sunday, a cold front will pass over Taiwan, followed by a second, stronger cold air mass from Monday to Wednesday next week, Wu said.

However, there is currently still a high level of uncertainty as to when the fronts will arrive, how strong they will be and how much rain they will bring, Wu added.