Chilly weather with possible rain expected Friday

Taipei, March 7 (CNA) Chilly weather and chances of brief showers are forecast across the country on Friday, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Due to the influence of a passing cold air mass, daytime highs are expected to remain around 15-16 degrees Celsius in the north as well as Yilan County in the northeast, 17-20 degrees in central Taiwan, and 21-24 degrees in other parts of the country, the CWA said.

According to CWA data, the lowest temperature in the low-lying areas of Taiwan proper recorded so far on Friday was 10.3 degrees in New Taipei's Shiding District at 3:26 a.m.

Meanwhile, rainfall is expected to gradually increase during the day.

As a cloud system moves eastward from southern China, occasional showers are expected in northern and central regions while other areas could also experience localized showers, the CWA said.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said there was also a chance of heavy rainfall in the north.

The cold air system is expected to weaken on Saturday, but brief showers are still likely in some areas in the north and east of Taiwan, Wu said.

Warm weather is expected to return from Sunday, with sunny to cloudy skies forecast across the country until Wednesday, he said.

Wu added that another wind system bringing unstable weather is expected to hit northern Taiwan on March 13.