TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A continental cold air mass drove temperatures down in Taiwan early Wednesday (March 11), with regions from central Taiwan northward and Yilan experiencing lows of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius (53.6°F to 57.2°F) due to radiative cooling. Southern Taiwan, Hualien, and Taitung recorded temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius (55.4°F to 59°F), as the cold snap affected residents across the island. Weather officials warned the cold conditions will persist through Friday morning.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national weather agency, said the cold air on Thursday (March 12) will cause temperatures to fall again in northern Taiwan, with cooler mornings and evenings in other regions. Rainfall will concentrate in eastern Taiwan, southeastern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), Taiwan's southernmost tip, the northern coast of Keelung (基隆), and northern mountain areas. Residents should prepare for fluctuating conditions throughout the week.
Friday (March 13) morning brings continued cold conditions due to the cold air and radiative cooling, with predicted lows of 10 to 13 degrees Celsius (50°F to 55.4°F) in regions from central Taiwan northward, including Yilan, Hualien, Kinmen, and Matsu. The cold air will gradually weaken by Saturday (March 14), allowing daytime temperatures to rise to 22 to 25 degrees Celsius (71.6°F to 77°F). Mornings will remain chilly despite the daytime warming trend.
Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) warned that another continental cold air mass is expected to move south starting Thursday (March 12), bringing a second wave of cold weather. Lin said the coldest period will occur from Thursday night into Friday (March 13) morning, with temperatures in central Taiwan northward potentially dropping to 10 degrees Celsius (50°F). The meteorologist urged residents to take precautions during the coldest overnight hours and early morning.
