Northern Taiwan, mountainous regions under heavy rain warning Thursday

Taipei, May 29 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Thursday issued heavy rain advisories for northern Taiwan and mountainous regions in central and southern areas of the country.

The advisories covered Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Keelung City, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, and Miaoli County, as well as mountainous areas in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Pingtung County and Hualien County.

Starting Thursday, the rainfall in those areas is likely to exceed 80 millimeters in a 24-hour period or 40 mm within an hour, according to CWA data.

Other parts of Taiwan may also experience rain, thunder and strong winds, the CWA said, adding that the rain in northern Taiwan is expected to stop by Thursday night.

The CWA on Thursday also issued a warning for strong winds of up to 39 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 62 kph, in coastal areas from Taoyuan to Changhua County, on the Hengchun Peninsula, Green Island, Orchid Island, and Penghu and Matsu islands.

Temperatures are expected to cool down on Thursday due to the rain and seasonal winds, the CWA said, forecasting nighttime lows of 19-22 degrees Celsius in the northern half of Taiwan, and 22-24 degrees in the southern regions.

Daytime highs will range from 22-24 degrees in northern Taiwan, 24-27 degrees in central regions, and 30-31 degrees in the south, the weather agency said.

On the outlying islands, the mercury will hover around 23-27 degrees in Penghu, 20-23 degrees in Kinmen, and 18-23 degrees in Matsu, the CWA said.

Sporadic showers or thundershowers are also likely in those areas on Thursday, the CWA said.

By Saturday, temperatures across Taiwan will rebound, with highs of 28 degrees in eastern areas, and over 30 degrees in other parts of the country, according to CWA data.

Cloudy to sunny skies can be expected Saturday in Taiwan, with only sporadic showers in eastern areas and mountainous regions, and on the Hengchun Peninsula, the CWA said.