Christmas Day to bring warmest weather of the week

AIPEI (TVBS News) — Christmas Day promises the most stable and warmest weather of the coming week, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署). CWA forecaster Wu Wan-hua (伍婉華) reported on Tuesday (Dec. 24) that a strengthening northeast monsoon is expected to bring a continental cold air mass from Friday through the weekend.

Weather Shifts and Rainfall Predictions

Since Monday, tropical depression Pabuk near Vietnam's Spratly Islands has resulted in significant cloud cover over Taiwan, leading to heavy rain alerts in the Nantou and Taitung mountain regions. Wu indicated that as Pabuk moves westward, moisture over Taiwan will slightly decrease from Tuesday night into Wednesday, gradually easing rainfall. While scattered showers may occur in the east on Wednesday, other areas might enjoy some sunshine.

The northeast monsoon will progress south on Thursday, bringing increased moisture from the continental cold air mass on Friday. Rainfall probabilities will rise from Thursday to Saturday across northern, eastern, central, and southern mountain regions, and Penghu. Wu noted that the cold air mass is expected to weaken from Sunday to the following Monday, reducing moisture and confining rain mainly to eastern regions, with other areas experiencing clouds and sunshine.

Temperature Trends and Cold Fronts
Tuesday morning's temperatures increased slightly by about 1 degree from Monday, with daytime highs around 20-21°C. Temperatures will rise on Wednesday, reaching 23-24°C in the north and northeast and approximately 25°C elsewhere. The northeast monsoon will drop temperatures to 19-20°C in the north and northeast on Thursday, with further declines expected elsewhere later that evening.

The coldest conditions are anticipated for Saturday night into Sunday morning, with lows around 10°C in Matsu and 11-12°C in Kinmen, Penghu, and northern, northeastern, and central areas. Other regions may see lows of 13-14°C. As the New Year approaches, Wu mentioned the ongoing influence of the northeast monsoon, with some uncertainty in the strength of the northern cold air. Increased moisture could lead to more cloud cover, warranting continued observation.