Warmer, cloudy Sunday, Monday expected before cold, wet front arrives

Taipei, Jan. 24 (CNA) Taiwan can expect sporadic rain and warmer temperatures through Monday, before approaching northeasterly winds and a cloud system from China bring cooler, wetter weather from Tuesday to Wednesday, a weather forecaster said Saturday.

Northern Taiwan may see a bit more rain in the first half of the day on Sunday, with precipitation gradually decreasing in the afternoon, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lin Ting-yi (林定宜) told CNA.

Sporadic rain is also expected along the coast of the city of Keelung, in the mountainous areas of Greater Taipei and western Taiwan, and in eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula, while other parts of the island may see partly cloudy skies, Lin said.

Temperatures are expected to rise slightly from Saturday, with lows of 13-17 degrees Celsius in Yilan and Hualien counties, 16-17 degrees in northern Taiwan, and 18 degrees in central and southern Taiwan, according to Lin.

Highs are forecast at 21-24 degrees in the north and northeastern areas, and around 26 degrees in central and southern Taiwan, he added.

Snow may fall on mountains above 3,000 meters on Sunday, if temperature and moisture levels align, he said, warning travelers and hikers to stay alert for slippery roads.

Monday will be mostly clear as moisture decreases, according to Lin, before wet and cold weather returns Tuesday with the arrival of a Southern China cloud system and seasonal northeasterly winds that are expected to strengthen on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, lows in the north will dip to 12 degrees, while temperatures will range from 13-23 degrees in central Taiwan and 16-26 degrees in the south, Lin said.

Thursday and Friday will be partly cloudy to sunny but cool during the mornings and evenings, with brief showers limited to eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula until the approach of another front on Saturday.