TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A blanket of dust settled over Taiwan Tuesday (April 15) as meteorologists warned of transboundary pollution sweeping across the nation. PM10 particulate matter has reached concerning levels, leaving a visible layer of dust on outdoor surfaces. Cheng Ming-dean (鄭明典), a senior weather official, advised residents against hanging laundry outside. "The relevant weather system is moving relatively slowly, so this air pollution event will continue for a few days," Cheng stated on his Facebook page.
Taiwan's environmental authority, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部), has raised its warning to the highest level — a red alert — for Kinmen, an island county located just off the coast of mainland China. Officials are urging all residents there to minimize time outdoors. An orange alert, the second-highest warning level, covers much of Taiwan proper, including northern and central regions, where vulnerable populations are advised to avoid physical exertion outdoors.
Meteorologists at the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署), Taiwan's national weather agency, have detected a modest intensification of the northeast monsoon winds, bringing cooler conditions to the northern and northeastern portions of the island. Despite the air quality concerns, forecasters predict predominantly clear to partly cloudy skies across Taiwan and its outlying islands, with limited rainfall confined to eastern areas and the southernmost Hengchun Peninsula.
The weather pattern is expected to shift in coming days as the northeast monsoon weakens, permitting daytime temperatures across northern and northeastern Taiwan to climb gradually. Weather officials warn that substantial temperature swings between day and night will continue throughout the affected regions. The CWA has also issued an advisory for residents of the outlying islands of Matsu and Kinmen regarding potential visibility hazards from fog or low cloud formation anticipated tomorrow evening. ★