Taiwan's October average temperature hits 27.4°C, highest on record: CWA

Taipei, Nov. 8 (CNA) Taiwan's average temperature in October reached 27.4 degrees Celsius, the highest for the month since records began in 1951, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Friday.

According to the CWA, last month's average temperature was 2.2 degrees higher than the long-term October average of 25.2 degrees. The unusually warm conditions were mainly due to a strong Pacific high-pressure system that prevailed from early to mid-October, driving temperatures well above normal.

Nationwide, Taiwan saw an average of 1.3 days with highs of 35 degrees or above in October, compared with the long-term average of just 0.1 days. Taipei alone experienced nine such hot days -- the most ever recorded for the month.

As for precipitation, the monthly average was 153.5 millimeters, 19.6 mm higher than the median long-term average of 133.9 mm, CWA data showed.

Between Oct. 19 and 29, rainfall increased significantly in northern and northeastern Taiwan due to the combined influence of the northeast monsoon, Tropical Storm Fengshen's outer circulation, and a low-pressure system, the CWA explained.

Tamsui District in New Taipei logged its highest October rainfall since recordkeeping began, the agency said.

However, Dongji Island in outlying Penghu County and Dawu Township in Taitung County recorded some of their driest Octobers on record, according to the CWA.