Hot, mostly cloudy to sunny conditions forecast for Taiwan on Saturday

Taipei, May 23 (CNA) Mostly cloudy to sunny skies and hot temperatures are expected across Taiwan on Saturday, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Daytime highs are forecast to range from 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, with parts of the greater Taipei area and mountainous regions in central and southern Taiwan possibly seeing temperatures exceed 36 degrees, the CWA said.

It has issued heat alerts for various cities and counties across Taiwan, including a "red" heat advisory for parts of Tainan, indicating temperatures there could exceed 38 degrees for three consecutive days.

According to independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮), the warm, summer-like weather is expected to persist through Thursday.

However, brief afternoon showers may still occur in mountainous areas on Saturday, Wu said.

Current forecasts show Taiwan could receive a wave of "plum rain" on May 29-30, bringing rain and cooler temperatures, before a return to sunny, hot weather on May 31 and June 1, he added.

Plum rain refers to a seasonal period of sustained rainfall that typically occurs in Taiwan in May and June.