Cold air mass could plunge mercury to 12°C in Taiwan Saturday night

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) With a cold air mass approaching, temperatures in the northern half of Taiwan could dip to as low as 12 degrees Celsius from Saturday night to early Sunday morning, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The CWA said the upcoming cold air mass is expected to hit the country, and low temperatures could fall to 13-15 degrees in Changhua County in Central Taiwan and areas north of the county on Saturday, after highs reach 17-21 degrees.

The CWA said some low-lying regions, including Keelung City and the northern coastal areas, are likely to see the mercury fall to 12 degrees from Saturday night through early Sunday morning.

In southern Taiwan, daytime temperatures are forecast to reach 23-26 degrees on Saturday, then fall to 16-19 degrees at night, the CWA said.

The CWA said the cold air mass is expected to bring in moisture to Taiwan and that mountains 3,000 meters or higher in northern Taiwan, including Yilan County, could see snow Saturday night.

Snowfall is expected to continue into Monday as the cold air mass keeps affecting the country, the CWA said.

The CWA added that the weather is expected to become warmer from Wednesday to Friday in most of Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment estimated the air quality across most of Taiwan to be fair to good on Saturday.

However, an "orange" air quality alert is forecast Saturday for parts of Yunlin, Chiayi, Pingtung counties and Tainan and Kaohsiung cities in the south, the ministry said, advising sensitive groups to reduce strenuous outdoor activities.