TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) warned that a continental cold air mass and radiative cooling will significantly lower temperatures across Taiwan on Saturday (Jan. 18). Some areas may experience temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, with New Taipei City (新北市) and Yilan County (宜蘭縣) potentially seeing such lows in the morning.
Meteorologist James Tai (戴立綱) explained on his YouTube channel that the cold air mass will weaken during the day on Saturday, leading to a gradual rise in temperatures next week. However, a powerful cold front is expected to impact Taiwan from Jan. 26-28, with Taipei's temperatures possibly dropping to 8°C. Tai noted that the European ECMWF model predicts the northeast monsoon will intensify on Jan. 25.
Tai suggested the cold front may not reach the level of a cold wave but will still be a strong continental cold air mass, lasting until Jan. 29. The U.S. GFS model indicated the polar vortex will bring cold air southward on Jan. 26, with temperatures in Taipei dropping to 8-10°C, he said.
Weather expert Lin Te-en (林得恩) shared on Facebook that the ECMWF model forecasts another strong cold air mass, between a cold wave and a strong continental cold air mass, around Jan. 26-28. Lin cautioned that temperatures in western Taiwan's open areas might fall below 10°C, with cold conditions persisting in the north and central regions.
