TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A weather system sweeping across Taiwan is drenching the island's northern and eastern regions Thursday (April 24), with outlying islands of Matsu and Kinmen also experiencing significant precipitation. The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署), Taiwan's national meteorological agency, has cautioned residents about potentially severe conditions including thunderstorms lasting through the weekend.
Officials have issued dense fog advisories for the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu, as well as regions extending from central Taiwan northward. Residents should prepare for localized downpours and thunderstorms, particularly in northern regions and mountainous central areas, explained meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮), recommending that people carry umbrellas and raincoats when venturing outdoors.
The island will experience a distinct temperature divide, with northern and eastern regions seeing highs of 27 to 29 degrees Celsius (80.6 to 84.2°F) while central and southern areas swelter under temperatures reaching 32 to 34 degrees Celsius (89.6 to 93.2°F), creating uncomfortably humid conditions. Wu warned that meteorological models show another weather system approaching by Monday, introducing additional uncertainty to forecasts. Weather authorities have specifically cautioned northern residents to prepare for brief but intense rainfall episodes.
Reports of severely limited visibility have already emerged from multiple regions, with Miaoli County recording visibility below 200 meters. Similar conditions have affected Taoyuan and Taichung, two of Taiwan's major urban centers. The rapidly changing weather patterns could disrupt transportation and outdoor activities across the island, prompting authorities to recommend that residents monitor official weather updates throughout the weekend. ★
