Mid-Autumn moon viewing conditions good for most in Taiwan: CWA

Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) has forecast partly cloudy to clear skies over Taiwan on Monday, meaning most regions are likely to have a good view of the moon at night during the Mid-Autumn Festival, despite brief afternoon showers in some areas.

According to the CWA weather update issued at 8 a.m. Monday, most areas of Taiwan, as well as outlying Penghu, Kinmen, and Lienchiang (Matsu Islands) counties, will see partly cloudy to sunny weather during the day, with brief afternoon thundershowers expected in parts of central and southern Taiwan and in some mountainous areas.

The agency attributed the weather pattern to a strong Pacific high-pressure system, which it said was expected to bring generally stable weather across Taiwan during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Daytime highs are forecast to range between 34 to 35 degrees Celsius in the western areas of Taiwan on Monday, and 31-32 degrees in the east.

However, the Greater Taipei area, central and southern regions, and the Hualien Rift Valley in eastern Taiwan could see temperatures reach 36 degrees or higher, the CWA said.

Meanwhile, CWA data showed that as of 8 a.m., Tropical Storm Halong, the 22nd Pacific typhoon of the season, was located about 1,990 kilometers east of Taipei, and is moving west-northwest at a speed of 11 turning 14 km.

The storm was expected to move toward the waters east of Japan's Ryukyu Islands, though its future path remains uncertain, the CWA said earlier Monday, adding that it was monitoring the system closely.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) shared a similar view, saying Halong will likely intensify into a typhoon but will soon make a large northeastward turn over waters south of Japan, posing no direct threat to Taiwan.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival day, most parts of Taiwan will experience sunny and hot weather, with a chance of brief, isolated showers in some mountainous areas during the afternoon, he projected.

Wu also said that from Tuesday through Friday, moisture levels east of Taiwan will increase slightly, bringing a chance of brief, scattered showers to eastern Taiwan and the north coast.

The weather over the next few days is expected to be partly cloudy to sunny in most regions, with slightly lower daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan, while other areas will remain hot, he said.