TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Meteorologists warned residents across northern Taiwan to brace for dangerous heat Thursday (Aug. 7) as temperatures soared past 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F). The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象局), Taiwan's national weather service, issued heat advisories for five counties as the island faces potentially record-breaking temperatures. Officials urged residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during the sweltering conditions.
Meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) warned temperatures could peak at 38 degrees Celsius (100.4°F) across Taiwan through Aug. 13. Wu wrote in his column for National Central University (NCU, 中央大學) that European weather models show a Pacific high-pressure system dominating the region. The system promises relentlessly sunny skies and sweltering conditions from Thursday (Aug. 7) through Saturday (Aug. 9).
Taipei City faces an orange alert indicating consecutive days above 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F) are likely. New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Tainan City, and Pingtung County received yellow alerts from the CWA. Wu forecasts a tropical disturbance moving north from Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, could trigger scattered afternoon thunderstorms between Saturday (Aug. 10) and Tuesday (Aug. 13).
Wu warned that European weather models show a tropical disturbance forming east of Taiwan and the Philippines next week. The system carries a 30 percent chance of affecting Taiwan by Thursday (Aug. 14). American forecasting models predict stronger storm intensity Wednesday (Aug. 13) in the Bashi Channel, the waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines, creating significant uncertainty that requires continuous monitoring. ◼
