Low temperature advisories issued for most parts of Taiwan

Taipei, Feb. 4 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued low temperature advisories for most parts of Taiwan on Tuesday, focused primarily on the northern half of Taiwan.

"Orange alerts," which warn of possible sustained temperatures for at least 24 hours of around or below 10 degrees Celsius, have been issued for New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli County, Yilan County and the outlying Kinmen County, the CWA said.

"Yellow alerts," warning of the minimum temperature dipping below 10 degrees for short periods, have been issued for Taipei, Keelung, and Taichung cities, as well as Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin and Chiayi counties.

The CWA forecast daytime highs of 14-16 degrees for other parts of northern and eastern Taiwan and of 17-20 degrees in central and southern Taiwan on Tuesday.

While cloudy to sunny skies are expected for most parts of Taiwan, sporadic showers are likely in the east and mountainous regions in central and southern Taiwan, forecasters said.

The cooler temperatures are likely to weaken starting Thursday, before a strong cold air mass hits Taiwan on Friday, the CWA said.

Meanwhile, Hehuanshan in central Taiwan saw light snowfall and soft hail from late Monday to early Tuesday, leaving parts of Provincial Highway 14A icy, meaning snow chains will be required for motorists traveling on the mountain road.