Taiwan to see warmer days but chilly nights as cold air eases: CWA

Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) A continental cold air mass kept much of Taiwan chilly early Sunday, but temperatures are expected to rebound gradually starting on Monday as the system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

Under the influence of the cold air mass, northern Taiwan and Yilan County in the northeast will remain cold on Sunday, while other regions are expected to experience low temperatures mainly at night, the CWA said.

The weather agency warned that from Sunday night into early Monday, temperatures could drop below 10 degrees Celsius in areas north of Kaohsiung, northeastern Taiwan, and the outlying Kinmen islands.

Morning lows on Sunday generally ranged between 11 and 13 degrees in western Taiwan and Yilan, and around 15 degrees in other regions, according to the CWA.

Daytime highs on Sunday were forecast at 15 to 17 degrees in northern Taiwan and Yilan, around 18 to 19 degrees in eastern Taiwan, and 21 to 23 degrees in central and southern Taiwan.

The CWA cautioned that large day-night temperature differences would persist, particularly in western Taiwan.

CWA data showed that the lowest temperature recorded in low-lying areas in Taiwan early Sunday was 8.3 degrees in Zhuqi Township in Chiayi County, followed by 8.4 degrees in Nanxi District in Tainan, and 8.7 degrees in Neimen District in Kaohsiung.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said the latest European weather model points to mostly sunny and stable conditions on Sunday, with only isolated brief showers possible in eastern Taiwan.

He added that overnight lows could still fall below 9 degrees in some areas.

The CWA said that continental cold air mass is expected to weaken during the daytime on Monday, allowing temperatures to rise across the island.

For Monday, the CWA forecast early morning lows of 12 to 14 degrees in most parts of Taiwan.

Daytime highs are expected to climb to 21 to 24 degrees in western Taiwan, while eastern Taiwan and Penghu are forecast to see highs of 18 to 20 degrees.