Temperature highs could hit 35°C in southern Taiwan on Saturday

Taipei, April 19 (CNA) Temperatures around Taiwan are expected to stay hot on Saturday and could hit as high as 35 degrees Celsius, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

As a warm southerly wind system envelopes Taiwan, the CWA said air moisture is expected to increase during the day while cloudy and sunny skies are forecast to prevail, with only brief showers in the country's northern, northeastern, and mountainous areas.

With weather conditions largely stable, the CWA said daytime temperatures are expected to range between 31-33 degrees in the west, and highs of 35 degrees are likely in Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County in the south on Saturday.

In the east, daytime temperatures could range between 28 and 29 degrees, the CWA said, forecasting that lows will fall to 22-24 degrees at night around Taiwan.

The CWA urged the public to take precautionary measures to avoid sunburn and drink more water to prevent dehydration.

It issued a dense fog advisory for outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands on Saturday, advising travelers to keep a close eye on possible adjustments in airlines' flight schedules.

Such warm weather is expected to continue into Tuesday, before a seasonal northeasterly wind system sets in on Wednesday, which will cause temperatures to drop by 5-6 degrees, particularly in Taichung, central Taiwan, according to the CWA.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said the weather is expected to get warmer during Monday and Tuesday, with highs forecast to top 35 degrees in most of Taiwan.

Wu said after Tuesday, Taiwan will feel the pinch from the upcoming seasonal winds through next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the air quality across most of Taiwan was fair to good on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Environment.