TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部) warned Wednesday (Dec. 4) that air quality across central Taiwan and areas south of Yunlin has reached an orange alert level due to the northeast monsoon. Officials also cautioned that some regions might briefly escalate to a red alert.
As of 10 a.m., the Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network (環境部空氣品質監測網) reported 18 stations showing orange alerts, primarily due to particulate matter (PM2.5). The network noted the northeast wind is carrying trace amounts of foreign pollutants, affecting the northern regions and outlying islands. The impact varies based on upstream concentration levels.
Pollutants accumulate in the downwind central and southern regions from dawn to morning, with ozone levels rising in the afternoon. Areas from Changhua to Tainan face reduced visibility due to localized fog or low clouds in the morning.
MOENV stated that air quality remains "good" in Hsinchu, Miaoli, Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung, while the northern regions and outlying islands, including Matsu, Kinmen, and Penghu, are at a "moderate" level. Central Taiwan, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung are experiencing orange alerts, which could be escalated to red alerts in the short term.
