Heat warnings issued across Taiwan for Monday

Taipei, June 21 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday issued heat warnings for much of Taiwan for Monday, forecasting highs of up to 36 degrees Celsius ahead of Tropical Storm Mekkhala's closest approach to the island on Thursday.

Orange heat alerts, indicating temperatures of 36 degrees or higher for three consecutive days, were issued for Taipei, New Taipei, Tainan, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Pingtung County and Hualien County, according to the CWA.

Yellow heat alerts, warning of highs reaching 36 degrees on at least one day, were issued for Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung City and Chiayi County.

CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) told CNA that cloudy to sunny skies and hot weather are expected Monday and Tuesday, with isolated afternoon thunderstorms in mountainous areas.

On Wednesday, showers are expected to expand into Hualien and Taitung counties, while southern Taiwan and mountainous regions may continue to see afternoon thunderstorms, Liu said.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Mekkhala, which could strengthen into a typhoon Sunday night or Monday morning, is expected to make its closest approach to Taiwan on Thursday.

Under the influence of the storm's outer cloud systems, western and northeastern Taiwan may experience scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, while other parts of the country are likely to see localized afternoon showers, Liu said.

The extent and intensity of the rainfall will depend on the storm's eventual track and distance from Taiwan, he added.

As of Sunday afternoon, Mekkhala was located about 1,310 kilometers east-southeast of Eluanbi, Taiwan's southernmost point, and was moving westward at 24 kilometers per hour, Liu said.

Current forecasts show the storm turning north on Wednesday and passing through waters east of Taiwan, though its exact track remains uncertain, he added.

Temperatures are expected to ease slightly on Thursday and Friday, with highs of 33-34 degrees in northern Taiwan, 32-35 degrees in central Taiwan and 32-33 degrees in southern Taiwan, according to the CWA.

After the storm moves away from Taiwan Saturday, weather across the country is expected to return to mostly cloudy to sunny conditions, with localized afternoon showers, Liu said.