Northern, eastern Taiwan to be hit by rain Friday: CWA

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has forecast unstable, moist weather in most parts of Taiwan and its outlying counties on Friday, amid strengthening northeasterly winds and an approaching weather system from southern China.

Rain will be most likely Friday in the northern third of Taiwan, Hualien County in the east, and the outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands based on current weather conditions, the CWA said.

There is also a chance of localized heavy rainfall, which could be accompanied by lightning and strong gusts of wind, the CWA said.

Temperatures in northern Taiwan and Hualien will range from 21 to 26 degrees Celsius throughout the day, the CWA forecast, while the highs in central and southern Taiwan will reach 28-30 degrees.

Under the influence of northeasterly winds, the CWA has issued a strong wind advisory for several counties and cities -- Taoyuan, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Taichung, Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Pingtung County, Penghu County, Kinmen County, and Lienchiang County (Matsu).

The same advisory -- which indicates sustained winds at or above Beaufort scale 6, with gusts reaching scale 8 or higher -- was also issued for Orchid Island and Green Island off Taitung.

Meanwhile, Wu Der-rong (吳德榮), an independent meteorologist and adjunct associate professor at National Central University, projected sporadic showers or thundershowers would hit areas north of Taiwan and mountainous areas in southern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday.

Wu said "bad weather" would prevail through the weekend until the departure of the moist frontal system on Sunday.