High temperatures, scattered showers forecast across Taiwan Saturday

Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) Taiwan is expected to see mostly sunny to cloudy skies on Saturday, with maximum temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius in New Taipei, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The heat prompted the CWA to issue an "orange" heat advisory for New Taipei on Saturday. At the same time, Tainan is expected to see highs of 36 degrees for at least three consecutive days, and highs in Taipei and Pingtung County may also reach 36 degrees on Saturday.

Highs elsewhere are forecast to range between 32 and 35 degrees in western Taiwan and 31-32 degrees in the east, the CWA said.

Sporadic showers are expected in Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, and the Hengchun Peninsula, while mountainous regions and areas south of Chiayi County may experience brief afternoon thundershowers, according to the CWA.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said the latest international models suggest the first wave of seasonal northeasterly winds carrying "significant cold air" will begin moving towards Taiwan around Oct. 19.

However, he noted that a developing tropical disturbance east of Taiwan could interact with the incoming cold air, adding that uncertainty in forecasts make it too early to predict how much temperatures will drop or how rainfall patterns might change.