Taiwan braces for cold snap with warming trend on horizon

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan’s northern and northeastern regions continue to endure cold temperatures, lingering around 10 degrees Celsius or lower on Friday (Jan. 26) despite a weakening cold wave, but warmer weather is expected next week, according to experts.

The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a cold warning for 17 cities at 6:39 a.m., urging residents to take precautions against low temperatures.

The CWA stated Friday's humidity will decrease, with mostly sunny to cloudy weather in regions south of Hsinchu. However, cities facing the wind, including the northern coast of Keelung, portions of the east, the Hengchun Peninsula, and the mountainous areas of Taipei, could still see localized rain. Light rain may also occur in areas north of Taoyuan.

Early morning temperatures in the north-central and Yilan regions hovered between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. In southern and eastern Taiwan, the weather was slightly warmer at 12 to 14 degrees Celsius. As the day advanced, temperatures in northern Taiwan could reach 16 to 17 degrees Celsius, while other regions may hit 20 to 23 degrees Celsius.

Former CWA Weather Forecast Center director Daniel Wu highlighted that from Saturday evening (Jan. 27) to Sunday (Jan.28), the northeast wind could intensify, leading to possible brief rain in Taipei and the east.

Wu further projected a gradual wind transition from northeastern to easterly and then southeasterly from Monday to Thursday (Jan. 29- Feb. 1). This shift will bring about a daily rise in temperature, leading to clear weather in the west and sporadic, brief rain in the east. Fog may occur in western regions and surrounding Kinmen and Matsu islands.