Temperatures in Taiwan to rise before northeasterly winds return: CWA

Taipei, Jan. 25 (CNA) As a cold front weakens, temperatures are expected to gradually rise on Sunday, although some parts of Taiwan will continue to experience wet and windy conditions, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, adding that two waves of northeasterly winds are forecast to arrive next week.

Low temperatures on Sunday are forecast to range from 13 to 17 degrees Celsius in western Taiwan, Yilan and Hualien in the east, and around 18 degrees in the southeast, the CWA said.

According to CWA data, the lowest temperature recorded in Taiwan's low-lying areas early Sunday was 9.7 degrees in Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County.

Daytime highs are expected to reach 21-24 degrees in northern and eastern Taiwan and around 26 degrees in central and southern areas.

If temperature and moisture conditions are favorable, there is a chance of isolated snowfall on mountains above 3,000 meters, the CWA said, advising motorists and hikers to remain alert to road and trail conditions as they go up altitude levels to see snow.

The CWA also issued a heavy rain advisory, warning of localized heavy rainfall in Keelung, New Taipei, Yilan and Taitung through Monday morning.

Heavy rain is defined as 24-hour accumulated rainfall exceeding 80 millimeters, or hourly rainfall of more than 40 millimeters.

In addition, the agency warned of strong winds from Sunday morning through Monday morning in New Taipei, Pingtung, and the outlying Penghu and Lienchiang counties, with sustained winds of 41-51 kilometers per hour or gusts of up to 63-75 kph.

Meanwhile, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) warned of large day-night temperature differences on Sunday and Monday, with chilly mornings and evenings despite generally stable weather during the day.

Wu noted that model simulations indicate clearer and more stable conditions in western Taiwan on Sunday, with only brief, localized showers in the eastern parts of New Taipei and eastern Taiwan, while similar stable weather is expected on Monday.

He said two waves of northeasterly winds are expected to affect Taiwan over the coming week, bringing cooler and wetter conditions to northern Taiwan.

He said a northeasterly wind system will move southward from China starting Tuesday, gradually lowering temperatures and increasing cloud cover as well as rainfall in northern and eastern Taiwan.

Another wave is forecast to arrive next Saturday, bringing renewed chances of rain and cooler weather, particularly in northern Taiwan, Wu said.

He added that while temperatures may dip to around 12-15 degrees during these periods, no strong cold air mass is expected in the next 10 days.