Taiwan's average temperature in 2025 ranks 12th highest on record: CWA

Taipei, Dec. 30 (CNA) Taiwan's average temperature in 2025 stood at 24.53 degrees Celsius as of Dec. 28, 1.22 degrees higher than the 1901-2000 average, ranking as the 12th highest since record-keeping began in 1897, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Tuesday.

Speaking at the agency's year-end press conference, Huang Chun-hsi (黃椿喜), director of the CWA's Weather Forecast Center, said the global average temperature from January to November reached 14 degrees, the second-highest since 1850, trailing only 2024.

Overall accumulated precipitation this year was relatively high, but the number of rainy days, at 128.2, ranked as the ninth lowest since 1951, with rainfall largely concentrated in July, which recorded its highest monthly total since 1951, Huang said.

Much of the July rainfall was brought by Typhoon Danas, one of four typhoons that affected Taiwan in 2025. The storm triggered the overflow of the Matai'an Creek barrier lake and drew in southeastern currents that caused heavy rainfall across southwestern Taiwan, he said.

Looking ahead, Huang said that while Taiwan is currently experiencing a La Niña episode, conditions are expected to return to normal next season. From January to March, temperatures are likely to be warmer than usual, while precipitation is forecast to range from normal to below average.

He added that short-term fluctuations remain possible and urged the public to stay alert to potential cold spells.

Meanwhile, Wu Chien-fu (吳健富), director of the CWA's Seismological Center, said 35,516 earthquakes were recorded this year, of which 156 were felt, close to the 10-year average of 150.

Six earthquakes exceeded magnitude 6, with a magnitude 7.0 quake offshore Yilan County on Saturday being the strongest, Wu said.