7 Taiwan counties, cities on alert for temperatures above 36°C

Taipei, July 19 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday issued heat alerts for seven cities and counties in Taiwan with temperatures forecast to exceed 36 degrees Celsius, while an independent meteorologist warned of unstable weather and severe afternoon thunderstorms through Tuesday.

The CWA issued orange heat alerts for Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Changhua County and Hualien County, indicating a chance of three consecutive days with highs above 36 degrees.

Yellow heat alerts were issued for Keelung and Taitung County, where temperatures could also exceed 36 degrees.

The heat alerts remain in effect until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Separately, the CWA warned that strengthened southwesterly winds could bring sustained winds of 39-51 kilometers per hour or gusts of 62-74 kph to Orchid Island, Green Island, Taoyuan, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Taichung, Kinmen County and Lienchiang County from Sunday through Monday night.

The agency also issued a heavy rain advisory for areas north of Taichung, as well as Chiayi and areas farther south, Nantou County and mountainous areas of Yunlin County, where vigorous convective systems could bring brief but intense downpours, lightning and strong wind gusts.

The CWA warned of possible landslides, falling rocks and rapidly rising streams in mountainous areas, as well as localized flooding in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said the latest European forecast model showed tropical cloud clusters over the South China Sea continuing to supply moisture and southwesterly winds to the region through Tuesday.

Although conditions are unfavorable for the further development of the clusters, the added moisture will increase atmospheric instability, triggering frequent afternoon thunderstorms over the next few days, Wu said.

He added that southern Taiwan could see occasional brief showers, while strong convective systems developing over mountainous areas could spread to some low-lying areas in the afternoon, bringing lightning, strong winds and brief heavy rain.

Wu also advised the public to take precautions against heat-related illness, as temperatures will remain high before storms develop.

According to Wu, weather conditions are expected to become more stable from Wednesday through Saturday as southwesterly winds weaken, moisture decreases and a Pacific high-pressure system strengthens.

Most areas are expected to see sunny and hot weather, with only isolated afternoon showers over mountainous regions, he said.

Forecast models indicate tropical disturbances could develop over the northwestern Pacific during the coming week, but their path and intensity remain highly uncertain and require further monitoring, Wu added.