Extremely heavy rain alert issued for northern Taiwan

Taipei, Nov. 18 (CNA) An extremely heavy rain advisory took effect in northern Taiwan on Tuesday as a seasonal northeasterly wind system strengthened, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The alert covers Keelung City, the northern coastal area, mountainous districts of Taipei City, and Yilan County, and signals the potential for at least 200 millimeters of rain in 24 hours or 100 mm in three hours, the CWA said.

The advisory is expected to remain in effect into Tuesday night.

The CWA also issued a heavy rain warning for Taipei and New Taipei cities, which indicates rainfall of 80 mm or more in 24 hours or 40 mm in one hour.

The seasonal winds are forecast to gradually push down temperatures in northern Taiwan throughout the day, with mercury forecast to range between 16-19 degrees Celsius, the agency said.

Elsewhere, daytime temperatures in central and eastern Taiwan are forecast to reach 22-24 degrees, while highs in the south could hit 27-28 degrees, the CWA said.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said moisture is expected to diminish beginning Wednesday, with only brief showers likely in northern and eastern regions.

However, he said temperatures in low-lying areas north of Miaoli County could drop to around 12 degrees early Wednesday and Thursday.

Wu added that the wind system is expected to weaken on Sunday, before another surge of seasonal winds approaches next week.