TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A cold wave has gripped Taiwan, bringing record-low temperatures and prompting weather alerts across the nation on Saturday (Feb. 8). The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) reported that Shiding District (石碇區) in New Taipei City recorded a low of 7 degrees Celsius early Saturday morning. Meteorologists advised residents to bundle up, particularly those commuting for work or other activities.
CWA issued cold weather warnings for 20 counties and cities, highlighting a potential low temperature of below 6°C in New Taipei City, Hsinchu County, and Miaoli County. Other areas, including Keelung City, Taipei City, and Taichung City, face sustained conditions below 10 °C. Lienchiang County must also prepare for an ongoing low of 6°C weather.
Rainfall may occur in Taiwan's eastern regions and areas north of Taoyuan today, with cloudy skies expected elsewhere, including Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. Keelung's north coast and the eastern regions could see brief showers tomorrow, with a chance of sporadic rain in the Greater Taipei area and Hengchun Peninsula.
Yilan County's Taiping Mountain (太平山) experienced temperatures dropping to -2°C, causing ice to form on tree branches. Weather expert Lin Te-en (林得恩) noted that this cold front is stronger, longer-lasting, and more widespread than previous ones, urging the public to stay warm. Lin also predicted possible snow in lower-altitude areas like Lala Mountain (拉拉山) and Taiping Mountain.