Yushan gets 1cm of snow within an hour Monday

Taipei, Feb. 2 (CNA) Snow began falling on Yushan at 6 a.m. on Monday and had accumulated to 1 centimeter by 7 a.m., the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, citing data from its weather station on the mountain, Taiwan's highest peak.

The snowfall on Yushan, also known as Jade Mountain, was caused by a continental cold air mass that sent the mercury plunging across Taiwan early Monday.

The lowest temperature recorded early Monday in Taiwan was minus 2 degrees Celsius, at the CWA's Yushan Weather Station at 4 a.m.

The temperature began to rise slightly on the mountain after that time, reaching 0.8 degrees by 6 a.m. when the snow began falling, and by 7 a.m., it had accumulated to about 1 centimeter, the CWA said.

In low-lying areas, meanwhile, the lowest temperature recorded early Monday was 12.5 degrees in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, according to the CWA.

Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said that while the continental cold air mass had strengthened across Taiwan on Monday, atmospheric moisture had decreased in the northern half of the country, resulting in less rain.

However, the eastern half of Taiwan can expect sporadic showers, while snow is likely to fall at elevations above 3,000 meters, he said.

The cold front will linger until Tuesday, keeping the mercury low in northern Taiwan, but other parts of the country will experience milder temperatures, Wu said, adding that some rain might persist in eastern Taiwan.

The continental cold air mass will gradually weaken from Wednesday, but by Friday evening another weather front will arrive, bringing a return of cold temperatures and rain to northern Taiwan, he said.

It will be followed by a stronger cold air mass that will blanket the country Saturday through next Monday, sending temperatures plunging to around 8 degrees in low-lying areas, Wu forecast.