Downpours forecast for northern, eastern Taiwan early next week

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) Northern and eastern Taiwan are expected to experience cooler weather and heavy rain from Sunday through Tuesday next week, as the northeast monsoon moves southward, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said Wednesday.

Citing model simulations valid as of 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wu said the first wave of the northeast monsoon will begin moving southward on Saturday evening, bringing rain and cooler temperatures to eastern Taiwan and the Greater Taipei area.

The rainfall in northern and eastern Taiwan could be "significant," while temperatures across the country are expected to decline from Sunday through Tuesday, said Wu, an adjunct professor at National Central University's Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

The severity of the weather will depend on the strength and proximity of a tropical system southeast of Taiwan, as well as the intensity of its interaction with the northeast monsoon, he said.

Meanwhile, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said that on Wednesday, partly cloudy to sunny skies will prevail across most of Taiwan.

Some brief isolated showers are likely on the north coast of Keelung and on the Hengchun Peninsula in the south, while brief afternoon thundershowers are expected in areas south of Chiayi and in mountainous regions, the CWA said.

Highs on Wednesday were forecast to reach around 31-32 degrees Celsius in eastern Taiwan, 33-35 degrees in the western part of the country, and 36 degrees in some inland areas of northern and south-central Taiwan, according to the CWA.

The public is advised to take precautions against sun exposure and stay hydrated during outdoor activities, the CWA said.

For the rest of the week, brief showers are expected on the northern coast of Keelung, in northeastern Taiwan, and in the mountains of Greater Taipei, the CWA said.

Eastern and southeastern Taiwan, as well as the Hengchun Peninsula, may experience isolated showers, while most other areas will remain partly cloudy to sunny on Thursday and Friday, the CWA forecast.

Similar conditions are expected on Saturday, with showers on the northern coast, in eastern Taiwan, on the Hengchun Peninsula, in the mountains of Greater Taipei, the CWA said,

It also forecast wet and cooler weather from Sunday through Tuesday next week, citing the effects of the northeast monsoon and its likely interaction with a tropical depression.