Taiwan braces for a volatile weather day Thursday (Sept. 4) as the Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署), the island's meteorological authority, forecasts predominantly sunny to cloudy skies punctuated by dangerous afternoon thunderstorms. Sporadic short showers are expected across the Hengchun (恆春) Peninsula, while western and eastern mountainous regions face potential severe weather. Officials urge residents to carry rain gear as thunderstorms threaten to bring lightning strikes, powerful wind gusts, and rapidly rising creek waters.
Scorching temperatures will range from 32 to 35 degrees Celsius (89.6 to 95°F), with the midday UV index reaching dangerously excessive levels. Residents should apply sunscreen and stay hydrated during outdoor activities. The outlying islands face varying conditions: Penghu will be sunny to cloudy with temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius (80.6 to 89.6°F), Kinmen will have cloudy skies with brief showers, and Matsu will be sunny to cloudy, both ranging from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius (80.6 to 89.6°F).
The season's 15th typhoon, which developed from a tropical depression east of the Ryukyu Islands, now churns 990 kilometers (615 miles) northeast of Taipei. The storm is expected to track through Japan's Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu islands without threatening Taiwan directly. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Ministry of Environment (環境部), the island's environmental authority, reports weak winds causing slight pollutant accumulation and potential afternoon ozone spikes. Air quality remains good in Yilan, Hualien-Taitung, and Penghu, while other regions including Kinmen face varying levels, with some areas reaching unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups. ◼
