TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's weather agency issued an orange alert Friday (Jan. 2) as a powerful continental cold air mass arrives Saturday (Jan. 3), plunging temperatures to around 10 degrees Celsius (50°F) or lower through the evening. The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) urged residents to prepare for the cold snap. The cold front marks the first significant temperature drop of 2026 across the island.
The CWA forecasts cold weather Saturday (Jan. 3) across Taiwan, with slight weakening Sunday (Jan. 4) allowing some daytime temperature recovery. Weekend lows will reach 10 to 12 degrees Celsius (50-53.6°F) in northern Taiwan and Yilan, 12 to 15 degrees Celsius (53.6-59°F) in southern Taiwan and Hualien-Taitung. Outlying islands will see 15 to 17 degrees Celsius (59-62.6°F) in Penghu and 8 to 10 degrees Celsius (46.4-50°F) in Kinmen and Matsu.
Wind and wave activity decreases Saturday (Jan. 3), but gusts of 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale (62-88 km/h) persist in northern waters, the Taiwan Strait, and the Bashi Channel. Wave heights range from 2 to 4 meters (6.6-13.1 feet). Long waves may occur along Keelung's northern coast, the eastern coast (including Lanyu and Green Island), and Hengchun Peninsula. The CWA advises safety precautions for coastal activities and marine operations.
Another cold air mass moves south Monday (Jan. 5), affecting central and northern Taiwan, plus the northeast and east from Tuesday (Jan. 6) to Thursday (Jan. 8). The rest of Taiwan experiences cold mornings and evenings during this period. The cold weakens Friday (Jan. 9), but mornings and evenings remain chilly before another cold air mass arrives Saturday through Sunday (Jan. 10-11). ◼
