TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will bask in mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions across the island, the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national meteorological agency, announced Wednesday (May 14). Residents in southeastern and northeastern regions, along with the Hengchun Peninsula at Taiwan's southernmost tip, should prepare for occasional showers. CWA meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) warned that prevailing southeast winds will diminish atmospheric moisture, triggering a notable temperature surge.
Meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) forecasts summer-like conditions enveloping the island in coming days as a warm air mass settles over Taiwan, though mountainous regions may experience localized afternoon showers. Wu noted the contrast with Wednesday morning's relatively mild temperatures, when Chiayi and Tainan recorded 21.8 degrees Celsius (71.2°F) and the northern coastal town of Tamsui (淡水) registered 21.6 degrees Celsius (70.9°F)—a result of overnight radiative cooling effects.
Weather officials reported favorable conditions for Taiwan's outlying islands, with Penghu experiencing clear to partly cloudy skies and temperatures spanning from 24 to 29 degrees Celsius (75.2 to 84.2°F). Kinmen can expect temperatures between 21 and 28 degrees Celsius (69.8 to 82.4°F), while Matsu will see ranges from 21 to 26 degrees Celsius (69.8 to 78.8°F). Health officials emphasized the importance of sun protection and adequate hydration as temperatures climb, warning residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
European weather prediction models indicate a persistent stationary front will hover over the East China Sea and central China regions from Thursday through May 23, Wu noted, prolonging Taiwan's heat spell. Weather patterns will shift by weekend, as a weather front approaching Taiwan's northern waters will trigger more widespread afternoon thunderstorms across the island. The meteorological situation will evolve again by Monday and Tuesday, when prevailing southwest winds will reduce storm activity as the front retreats northward.
Weather officials issued visibility warnings for the outlying islands of Matsu and Kinmen, where fog and low-lying cloud formations could create hazardous conditions for transportation through Friday morning. In a separate advisory reflecting Taiwan's complex geological challenges, the CWA warned that mountainous regions remain vulnerable to landslides and rockfalls due to soil destabilization from recent seismic activity. Hikers and residents in hillside communities were advised to exercise heightened caution. ★
