Taiwan could see 37°C highs through Wednesday: CWA

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) Hot and mostly stable weather is expected across Taiwan through Thursday, with temperatures in some areas likely to hit 37 degrees Celsius or higher early in the week before another seasonal rain front moves in on Friday, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

The agency issued heat alerts for eight cities and counties on Sunday, with Tainan under a red alert for possible temperatures above 38 degrees for three consecutive days.

Changhua and Pingtung counties were placed under orange alerts, indicating temperatures there could exceed 38 degrees or remain above 36 degrees for three consecutive days.

Yellow alerts were issued for Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung and Taitung County, warning of highs exceeding 36 degrees.

The CWA also forecasted possible foehn winds in Taitung, which bring hot, dry gusts down the leeward side of the Central Mountain Range.

The agency said Taiwan and the outlying islands of Penghu and Kinmen would see sunny to partly cloudy skies from Sunday through Wednesday.

Isolated afternoon showers are possible in northeastern Taiwan and mountainous areas in the east.

On Thursday, skies will remain sunny to partly cloudy, though brief afternoon showers are likely in Greater Taipei and northeastern Taiwan.

Eastern Taiwan and mountainous areas in central and northern Taiwan could also see scattered afternoon showers.

From Monday through Thursday, daytime highs are forecast to range from 30 to 35 degrees, with parts of Greater Taipei, the East Rift Valley in eastern Taiwan, and inland areas of central and southern Taiwan likely to experience temperatures around 37 degrees through Wednesday.

The CWA said that a new seasonal rain front -- the fourth of this year's plum rain season -- is expected to approach or affect Taiwan on Friday, bringing brief showers or thunderstorms to central and northern Taiwan as well as the northeast, while temperatures are expected to ease to 28-33 degrees.

Plum rain refers to the seasonal rainy period that typically occurs in Taiwan during May and June.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said temperatures are likely to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, describing conditions through Thursday as "hot like midsummer" due to a warm air mass and reduced moisture.