Heavy rain forecast Monday afternoon for areas north of Chiayi

Taipei, July 13 (CNA) Heavy rain can be expected across most of Taiwan on Monday afternoon, due to a southerly wind system, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

An advisory for heavy to extremely heavy rain may be issued for areas north of Chiayi County, where massive prolonged downpours are likely, the CWA said Monday.

An extremely heavy rain warning indicates accumulated rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters in 24 hours or 100 mm within three hours, while a heavy rain alert means accumulated rainfall of more than 80 mm in 24 hours or 40 mm in one hour, according to the CWA.

Elsewhere in Taiwan, windward areas in the south may experience some showers on Monday, the CWA said.

The weather pattern throughout the country is expected to continue into Tuesday and Wednesday, with northern Taiwan seeing the heaviest rain, the CWA forecast.

Meanwhile, daytime temperatures on Monday are expected to range between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius across most of the country, but some areas might experience highs above 36 degrees, the CWA said, adding that it might issue heat advisories later in the day.

The CWA warned of high levels of ultraviolet radiation, particularly around midday Monday, and advised the public to stay hydrated and take precautions against heatstroke.

On Monday morning, the CWA issued strong wind advisories for parts of the country, warning of winds averaging 39-40 kilometers per hour.

The areas under the wind advisories are New Taipei in the north, Chiayi and Pingtung counties, and Tainan and Kaohsiung in the south, Yilan County in the northeast, and the offshore Penghu and Lienchiang counties.

According to independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮), a tropical cloud cluster is forming east of the Philippines and may develop into a tropical depression within the next two to three days.

Citing a United States weather forecasting model, Wu said Monday that the weather system may move northwest before turning in a northeasterly direction, and it is unlikely to affect Taiwan.