Heat alert issued as temperatures expected to top 36°C

Taipei, Aug. 9 (CNA) A heat advisory is in effect for several cities and counties in Taiwan on Saturday, with daytime temperatures expected to top 36 degrees Celsius, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The CWA issued an "orange" heat warning for Taipei and New Taipei in the north, and Tainan and Pingtung in the south, meaning highs of 36 degrees Celsius for three straight days.

A "yellow" warning was also issued Saturday for Keelung in the north and Hualien in the east, where temperatures could reach or exceed 36 degrees.

The CWA said the heat advisory will remain in effect until late Saturday aternoon.

Elsewhere, daytime temperatures are expected to range between 31 and 35 degrees Saturday under partly cloudy to sunny skies, the CWA said.

The CWA said a high-pressure weather system has kept Taiwan sweltering in recent days, and urged the public to protect themselves from the sun, with UV levels expected to be high.

According to the CWA, Friday's highest temperature was 37.1 degrees in Taipei's Neihu District, followed by 36.9 in Xinyi District, also in Taipei, and 36.8 in Sandimen Township, Pingtung.

Despite the stable weather, thundershowers are possible in the Greater Taipei area and in northern mountain regions, the CWA said. Rainfall is expected to intensify Sunday, affecting broader areas and lowering daytime temperatures by 1-2 degrees, the CWA added.

Echoing the CWA, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said low-lying areas can expect rain from Sunday to Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Wu said Tropical Storm Podul is expected to pass through waters north of Taipei between Wednesday and Thursday, likely weakening and possibly dissipating.

As of 8 a.m., Podul's eye was 2,167 kilometers east of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 14 kph, according to the CWA.

Air quality across most of Taiwan was fair to good on Saturday, the Ministry of Environment said, but parts of the north were under an "orange" alert, warning of unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart problems.