TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) announced a shift to cooler, wetter weather starting Friday (Jan. 24) through Sunday, influenced by a northeast monsoon. Meteorologists highlighted the potential for a cold wave beginning on Little New Year's Eve on Monday, with temperatures in northern Taiwan expected to drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
The CWA noted that the northeast monsoon will gradually strengthen on Friday, impacting northern, Yilan (宜蘭), and Hualien (花蓮) regions with cooler weather. Other areas will experience cooler mornings and evenings. The monsoon brings increased moisture and mid-level cloud systems, resulting in sporadic rain in northern, eastern, and central-southern mountainous regions, while other areas remain mostly cloudy.
Temperature forecasts for Friday through Sunday indicate 13-20°C in the north and northeast, 14-23°C in central regions, 16-25°C in the south, and 17-22°C in Hualien and Taitung. Penghu (澎湖) will see 15-18°C, Kinmen (金門) 13-19°C, and Matsu (馬祖) 12-15°C.
From New Year's Eve, a continental cold air mass will further cool weather across the island, with temperatures dropping to 11-15°C in the north and northeast, 13-19°C in central regions, 14-23°C in the south, and 14-20°C in Hualien and Taitung. The CWA advised the public to stay updated on weather forecasts as the cold air's intensity remains uncertain.