Temperatures in Greater Taipei, Kaohsiung could reach 38°C on Saturday

Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Temperatures might hit 38 degrees Celsius in the Greater Taipei area and Kaohsiung on Saturday, with isolated brief thunderstorms forecast south of Chiayi and in mountainous areas, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

Daytime highs of 32 to 36 degrees are expected across Taiwan, with localized temperatures in Greater Taipei and Kaohsiung possibly reaching around 38 degrees, the CWA said.

A red heat alert, indicating a high of 38 degrees on consecutive days, was in effect for Taipei, while an orange heat alert, indicating a high of 38 degrees for one day or 36 degrees for three straight days, was in effect for New Taipei, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County.

In other regions, conditions will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy, but thermal effects in the afternoon may trigger brief thunderstorms south of Chiayi and in mountainous areas, the CWA said.

Occasional isolated showers may also be seen in southeastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula due to the effect of southeasterly winds bringing increased moisture, the CWA forecast.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said sunny and scorching weather is expected to prevail across Taiwan over the weekend, with extreme temperatures reaching above 38 degrees.

He urged people going outdoors to take precautions against sunburn and heatstroke.

Based on the latest European forecast models, stable weather with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies can be expected nationwide next week from Monday to Friday, he said, though brief bouts of rain could still occur in Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung counties during that time.

Meanwhile, a low depression in waters west of Luzon Island in the northern Philippines strengthened into Tropical Storm Kajiki on Saturday morning, but it will head south of Hainan Island toward Vietnam and not have any direct impact on Taiwan, Wu said.