High UV, high heat forecast across Taiwan on Tuesday: CWA

Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) The ultraviolet index (UVI) across Taiwan could reach "very high" levels on Tuesday, while daytime temperatures are forecast to top 30 degrees Celsius, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

The maximum UVI across all 22 municipalities is projected to range between 8 and 10, which falls into the "very high" category, according to the CWA website.

Meanwhile, highs are forecast to range from 32-35 degrees, with parts of Taipei expected to hit 36 degrees, the agency said.

In the outlying Penghu and Kinmen counties as well as the Matsu Islands, daytime temperatures are forecast to reach 30-31 degrees.

Temperatures will dip after sunset but remain around 25-27 degrees, the CWA said.

Atmospheric moisture will be high on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to partly sunny skies across Taiwan, according to the agency.

In addition to regional thunderstorms, heavy rain is possible in western Taiwan and mountainous areas, with extremely heavy rainfall briefly occurring in the south and central mountain areas, the CWA said.

Also on Tuesday, a tropical depression was located 550 kilometers east-southeast of Taipei at 2 a.m. The CWA said it is intensifying and could develop into a tropical storm, but is not expected to directly impact Taiwan as it tracks toward Japan and South Korea.

Independent meteorologist Wu De-rong (吳德榮) said the system could strengthen into a tropical storm on Tuesday, but echoed the forecast that it will not affect Taiwan.

However, he noted that a tropical disturbance south of Guam could continue intensifying as it drifts west-northwest and is projected to pass over Luzon Island in the Philippines.

Wu said it remains uncertain whether the system will impact Taiwan and it should be closely monitored.