TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Scorching temperatures gripped Taiwan Thursday (Aug. 7) as the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national weather service, reported mercury soaring above 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F) in western regions, Greater Taipei (大台北), and southern mountainous areas. The administration urged residents to stay hydrated and protect themselves from intense solar radiation as a powerful Pacific high-pressure system continues affecting the island. This extreme heat wave marks another challenging day for Taiwan's 23 million residents seeking relief from oppressive conditions.
The CWA emphasized that ultraviolet radiation reaches dangerous levels around midday, strongly advising residents in high-temperature zones to implement comprehensive sun protection measures. Sporadic thunderstorms may develop during afternoon hours in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region and mountainous areas, prompting weather officials to warn residents about potential landslides and falling rocks. These localized severe weather events pose additional risks beyond the oppressive heat affecting Taiwan's densely populated areas.
Weather forecasters noted an increase in atmospheric moisture over the coming week, significantly raising precipitation probability across Taiwan, although potential typhoon development remains highly uncertain. Southeastern winds will bring isolated showers Friday through Saturday to Taitung and the Hengchun (恆春) Peninsula, with broader thunderstorm activity expected across western regions Saturday afternoon. This weather pattern shift offers hope for relief from the current heat wave conditions.
The Pacific high-pressure system will shift northward Sunday through next Wednesday, further increasing atmospheric moisture levels and rain probabilities across the island. Easterly winds will persist from next Thursday through Saturday, producing isolated showers in eastern regions and the Hengchun (恆春) Peninsula, while other areas experience partly cloudy to sunny conditions with localized afternoon thunderstorms. This evolving weather pattern suggests gradual relief from the current extreme heat conditions affecting Taiwan.
