Mercury to plunge on New Year's Day with arrival of cold air mass

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) A strong continental cold air mass will move into Taiwan on New Year's Day Thursday, sending temperatures plummeting to lows of around 10 degrees Celsius in some areas in the following days, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Beginning on Wednesday, the approaching system will bring a chance of rain to northern and eastern Taiwan, with high temperatures ranging from 19-22 degrees in the north, CWA forecaster Cheng Chieh-jen (鄭傑仁) told CNA.

Central and southern Taiwan can expect clear to cloudy conditions on Wednesday, with highs of 24-27 degrees, he said.

As the system moves southward on New Year's Day Thursday, temperatures will become colder, with rain showers and lows of 14-15 degrees forecast in the north and Yilan, and lows of 16-18 degrees expected in the south and east, Cheng said.

The cold snap is expected to last through the weekend, with the coldest temperatures forecast for Saturday, when lows will drop to 9-12 degrees in northern and central Taiwan and 13-15 degrees in the south.

High temperatures Saturday will hover around 14-15 degrees the north and Yilan, 16-19 degrees in central Taiwan, and 21 degrees in the south, Cheng said.

Depending on the temperature and moisture levels, there will be a possibility of snow on Friday in mountains with elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters in the north, as well as in mountains in central Taiwan with elevations above 3,000 meters, Cheng said.