TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A strong continental cold air mass brought chilly weather to Taiwan on Monday (Jan. 20), with the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) reporting temperatures as low as 11 to 14 degrees Celsius in the western and northeastern regions. Sanwan, Miaoli (苗栗三灣), recorded the nation's lowest temperature at 5.9°C this morning due to the combined effects of the cold air mass and radiative cooling.
Meteorologist Lin Te-en (林得恩) emphasized the severity of the cold, noting that this period often marks the coldest days of the year. He warned that the northeast wind has carried external pollutants into Taiwan and its outlying islands, leading to an "orange alert" level for air quality in central and southern regions.
Weather expert Wu Te-jung (吳德榮) predicted an increase in cloud cover from Wednesday to Friday as mid-level clouds move northward, causing occasional localized rain near mountainous areas. European models suggest a brief reprieve before another cold air mass arrives around Sunday, with temperatures expected to plummet by next Monday.
The upcoming Lunar New Year will see the strongest cold air mass next Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially reaching "cold wave" levels. Wu advised close monitoring of weather conditions as the cold front might revert to initial wave intensity, bringing wet and cold weather to windward areas and the possibility of snowfall in high mountains.
