Heavy rain hits northern Taiwan, heat warnings issued for southern Taiwan

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Saturday issued heavy rain advisories for the northern half of Taiwan and heat warnings for specific regions in southern Taiwan.

Effective from late morning to late afternoon, the advisories for Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung City, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County and Changhua County warn of rainfall exceeding 80 millimeters (mm) in 24 hours or 40 mm within one hour.

Meanwhile, extremely heavy rain advisories warning of rainfall exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours or 100 mm in three hours are issued in Taichung and Miaoli County.

Other areas in the country can expect sporadic showers or thundershowers, according to the CWA.

Also on Saturday, heat warnings were issued for regions within southern Pingtung County and southeastern Taitung County, which may experience temperatures over 36 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days or maximum temperatures soaring over 38 degrees, according to the CWA.

Foehn winds -- dry downslope winds in the sheltered side of a mountain range -- are predicted in Taitung.

Meanwhile, the rain will bring down temperatures slightly in northern and central parts of the island, the CWA said.

Temperatures will range between 22-26 degrees in northern Taiwan and 23-31 degrees in central and northeastern Taiwan, according to CWA data.

Taiwan's outlying islands will also see cloudy or rainy skies on Saturday, with Penghu's temperature ranging between 25-31 degrees, Kinmen's between 24-29 degrees, and Matsu's between 24-26 degrees throughout the day.

Meanwhile, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said the third wave of plum rain is arriving in Taiwan on Saturday, bringing cloudy skies and occasional showers across the country until Monday. He expects sunny weather to resume on Tuesday.

Wu forecast that another weather front will approach Taiwan late Wednesday, bringing rain.