Rain forecast in northern, central, eastern parts of Taiwan Monday

Taipei, April 28 (CNA) Rain showers or thunderstorms are expected in northern, central and eastern areas of Taiwan on Monday, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The rainfall is due to a passing front and strengthening northeasterly monsoon, the CWA said, advising the public to monitor weather changes and carry rain gear when heading outdoors.

The CWA said that parts of Taitung County and the Hengchun Peninsula may also see brief localized showers.

Temperatures are forecast to drop slightly, with daytime highs ranging from 23 to 24 degrees Celsius in northern Taiwan, 26 to 28 degrees in central Taiwan and Yilan and Hualien counties, and 29 to 32 degrees in southern Taiwan and Taitung County, according to the CWA.

Nighttime lows are expected to range from 19 to 20 degrees in northern Taiwan and Yilan County, 21 to 22 degrees in central Taiwan and Hualien County, and 23 to 25 degrees in southern Taiwan and Taitung County, the CWA said.

Penghu County will be mostly cloudy with occasional showers, with temperatures between 23 and 28 degrees, the weather agency said.

Meanwhile, Kinmen County is forecast to see cloudy skies with brief showers or thunderstorms and temperatures ranging from 20 to 26 degrees, the CWA said.

The Matsu Islands (Lienchiang County) will experience brief showers or thunderstorms, with temperatures of 18 to 21 degrees, according to the CWA.

Wu Der-rong (吳德榮), an adjunct associate professor at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at National Central University, said that Monday's front will move in quickly, bringing showers to central Taiwan and northern and eastern areas, with localized showers possible in southern Taiwan.

According to Wu, conditions will improve on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Temperatures will rise, and there will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies across Taiwan on those two days, though there may be isolated afternoon showers in mountainous areas, he said.

Wu said another front is expected to pass near northern Taiwan on Thursday, causing atmospheric instability and bringing increased moisture.

Localized showers or thunderstorms are likely in northern Taiwan and mountainous areas of central and southern Taiwan on Thursday afternoon, he said.