Cold air to hit Taiwan Saturday afternoon, with chance of snowfall

Taipei, Jan. 30 (CNA) A cold air system is expected to begin affecting Taiwan Saturday afternoon, bringing a chance of scattered snowfall in mountainous areas above 3,000 meters over the next few days, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The CWA said daytime temperatures on Saturday will remain warm, but northern Taiwan and Yilan County in the northeast will turn cooler in the afternoon and evening as the cold front passes.

Hualien and Taitung counties in eastern Taiwan, as well as the Hengchun Peninsula in the south, could see brief, scattered showers during the day on Saturday, the CWA said, adding that scattered showers are also likely in central and northern Taiwan and Yilan in the afternoon.

Temperatures are expected to drop to between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius in central and northern Taiwan, as well as Yilan, on Saturday and Sunday, and between 16 and 18 degrees in the south and east.

The CWA added that scattered snowfall is possible in mountain areas above 3,000 meters from Saturday night through Tuesday.

The cold air is expected to continue affecting Taiwan from Monday to Tuesday, bringing cooler weather to northern Taiwan and Yilan, while other areas will experience cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings.

Temperatures during this period are expected to range from 13 to 15 degrees in northern and central Taiwan as well as Yilan, and 16 to 18 degrees in the south and eastern Taiwan.