Heat warning issued for Greater Taipei, mercury likely to top 36°C

Taipei, Aug. 6 (CNA) A heat warning for the Greater Taipei area has taken effect, with daytime temperatures likely to top 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday due to a strong Pacific high pressure system, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

With less moisture in the air after days of rain, cloudy to sunny skies were expected Wednesday, and the CWA issued an "orange" heat advisory -- indicating daily highs of 36 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days -- for Taipei and New Taipei.

The heat warning will remain in effect into late Wednesday afternoon, the CWA said.

Elsewhere, temperature highs are expected to hit 33 degrees in central and southern Taiwan and 30-31 degrees in Hualien and Taitung counties in the east, the CWA said.

Despite stable weather conditions around Taiwan, the CWA said sporadic showers were possible in the coastal areas of central and southern Taiwan on Wednesday morning, while afternoon thundershowers were likely in the north.

Citing the latest European weather model, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said the Pacific high pressure system is expected to hold sway over Taiwan's weather until Saturday, boosting daytime temperatures to as high as 38 degrees.

Wu said a tropical disturbance is expected to cross Luzon in the Philippines and move toward the South China Sea next week, which could increase the chances of rain for Taiwan.

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