Northern town hits 14.9°C early Wednesday amid radiation cooling

Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) Guanxi Township in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan, recorded a low of 14.9 degrees Celsius early Wednesday, the lowest temperature in any low-lying area of Taiwan, as a result of radiation cooling, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said.

Radiation cooling, which occurs when the ground loses heat under clear skies, light winds and dry conditions, also brought temperatures down to 15.6 degrees in Yilan County's Nanao Township in northeastern Taiwan, and 15.8 degrees in Miaoli County's Sanwan Township in northern Taiwan on Wednesday morning, the CWA said.

The effects of radiation cooling are expected to ease somewhat as cloud cover increases later Wednesday, the CWA said. However, a strengthening northeasterly seasonal wind system is expected to bring lower daytime temperatures to northern Taiwan, the CWA added.

Highs in Taoyuan and areas to its north, as well as in Yilan and Hualien counties in eastern Taiwan, are forecast at 27-29 degrees Wednesday. Central and southern Taiwan, which will be less affected by the seasonal winds, are expected to remain warmer, with highs of 30-33 degrees, the CWA said.

Daytime temperatures across Taiwan reached 32-34 degrees on Tuesday, according to the CWA.

With the seasonal winds strengthening, the CWA issued a strong wind advisory for areas from Taoyuan to Tainan, Taitung County, the Hengchun Peninsula, Green Island and the outlying islands of Penghu and Matsu. Average wind speeds in these areas are forecast to reach 41-51 kilometers per hour or higher, the agency said.

Citing the latest European weather forecast model, independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said lows in low-lying areas around Taiwan could range from 16 to 21 degrees on Wednesday night.

Moisture levels are expected to increase Wednesday and Thursday, likely bringing brief showers to the Greater Taipei area and other parts of northern Taiwan, Wu said. Weather in central and southern Taiwan should remain stable, apart from brief afternoon showers in mountainous areas, he said.

Air quality in western Taiwan could deteriorate over the two days, Wu said, advising people planning outdoor activities to take precautions.

(By Chang Hsiung-feng and Frances Huang)

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