Taiwan weather to stabilize ahead of Dragon Boat Festival holiday

Taipei, June 14 (CNA) Rainfall across Taiwan is expected to gradually ease over the coming week as weather conditions become more stable, but hot temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms are forecast during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival long weekend.

Despite the improving outlook, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said Sunday that central and southern Taiwan could still see heavy rain or torrential downpours Monday as a seasonal front lingers north of Taiwan and southwesterly winds continue to affect the island.

Northern Taiwan and Yilan are also expected to experience brief showers or thunderstorms, with the possibility of localized heavy rain, CWA forecaster Cheng Chieh-jen (鄭傑仁) said.

Monday's highs will range from 27 to 29 degrees Celsius in western Taiwan and the northeast, and 29 to 31 degrees in Hualien and Taitung counties, Cheng said.

From Tuesday, the front is expected to gradually move away, leaving Taiwan under the influence of southwesterly winds.

Central and southern Taiwan will continue to see intermittent showers and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy rain possible, while northern Taiwan can expect occasional brief showers. Afternoon thundershowers remain possible around the island.

Moisture levels are expected to decline further on Wednesday, with only central and southern Taiwan likely to see scattered showers or thunderstorms. Elsewhere, skies will be mostly cloudy to sunny, the CWA forecast.

From Thursday onward, weather conditions are expected to become more stable. Brief afternoon thunderstorms are forecast mainly in areas north of central Taiwan, in Yilan, and in mountainous regions.

The CWA said the generally stable weather pattern is likely to continue through the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday from Friday to Sunday, although afternoon thunderstorms are still likely.

Temperatures will continue to rise through the week, with daytime highs during the holiday expected to reach 31-34 degrees across Taiwan, Cheng said.

The CWA also warned that high tides through Friday could increase the risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas.