As temperatures dip across Taiwan, the nation is bracing for a cold front that is expected to impact weather conditions for the next couple of days. Yesterday, temperatures reached a comfortable range of 21 to 26 degrees Celsius in various regions, with specific areas such as New Taipei’s Yonghe district seeing a high of 21.0 degrees, and Puli in Nantou peaking at 26.1 degrees.
This current wave of cold air has seen temperatures at Taipei’s weather station plummeting to 13.1 degrees, qualifying it as a “mainland cold air mass” and marking it as the strongest cold front this winter season. Early this morning, the lowest recorded temperatures across several counties included Shihding in New Taipei at 10.1 degrees and Yangmei in Taoyuan at 10.3 degrees. Overall, plains throughout the island are experiencing minimum temperatures in the range of 10 to 13 degrees.
Weather observations this morning indicated an abundance of cloud coverage and sporadic showers, particularly in northern and eastern parts of the island, while mountain areas may also experience light rain. The European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) predicts that the influence of the cold front will linger through today and tomorrow, with cooler and wetter conditions anticipated. Northern Taiwan can expect persistent cold and wet weather today, while a slight increase in temperatures is expected tomorrow, though conditions will remain chilly, necessitating warmer clothing.
In the central and southern regions, fair and slightly cool conditions are expected during the day with cooler air persisting in the evenings. It will also be important for residents to adjust their attire accordingly. The weather forecast indicates that snowfall is possible at heights around 3,000 meters, particularly on high mountains like Hehuanshan and Xueshan, depending on moisture conditions, with the possibility of sleet or frost as temperatures hover just above freezing at around 2,000 meters.
Looking ahead, the weather is projected to gradually shift toward a drier pattern starting Sunday, December 28, with slight temperature increases and clearer skies in northern Taiwan after the rain. The following week, notably from December 30 to January 1, the northeast monsoon may strengthen again, potentially bringing occasional showers to northern Taiwan, while other areas remain largely pleasant but slightly cooler.
As the cold front moves through, residents are encouraged to stay warm and take appropriate precautions against the chilly, damp weather. The adaptation to these sudden changes can be challenging, but it also signifies the beauty of the winter season in Taiwan.