TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A significant temperature drop across the island was reported by Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Tuesday( Dec. 12).
Northern Taiwan experienced a sharp decline in daytime highs, hovering around 18 to 19 degrees Celsius, with a persistent damp and chilly atmosphere that worsened at night.
The CWA said the passing of a cold front coupled with a strengthening northeastern monsoon is behind the cooler temperatures.
Day-to-night temperature variations are pronounced in central and southern Taiwan, where the highs range from 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, and lows fall between 20 and 22 degrees.
Eastern Taiwan is not spared from the cold snap, with top temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius due to the same weather dynamics.
Sporadic, short-lived rainfall is expected in areas north and central of Taiwan, as well as in the eastern half and the islands of Penghu and Matsu, while other regions will see mostly clear to cloudy skies.
Gusty winds at levels 8 to 9 are predicted in open coastal areas from Taoyuan to Tainan and on the Hengchun Peninsula. Similar conditions are forecasted for the islands of Lanyu, Green Island, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
On the environmental front, the Ministry of Environment's air quality forecast indicates the northeastern winds might carry traces of pollutants from overseas, affecting the local atmosphere.
According to Tuesday's air quality index, Yilan, Hualien-Taitung, and Penghu have "good" levels.
Northern Taiwan, Hsinchu-Miaoli, central Taiwan, and Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan, along with Matsu and Kinmen, are rated "moderate."
However, Kinmen may experience "orange alert" levels in the early morning to noon. Kaohsiung-Pingtung is already at an "orange alert" level.