TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces deteriorating weather conditions as a weather system approaches the island, with thickening cloud cover and scattered rainfall expected by Wednesday (May 28) evening, veteran meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) warned Tuesday. The weather expert emphasized the need for public vigilance as conditions could intensify into severe weather phenomena including dangerous lightning strikes, powerful gusting winds, and intense cloudbursts throughout Thursday.
Wu provided a detailed holiday forecast as Taiwan prepares for the Dragon Boat Festival (端午節), a major traditional holiday commemorating the ancient poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and rice dumplings. Southern regions will likely experience intermittent precipitation on Friday when the three-day holiday commences. Weather conditions should improve significantly for Saturday and Sunday with predominantly clear skies occasionally interrupted by scattered clouds, accompanied by seasonally high temperatures. According to Wu, recent European weather model projections indicate the frontal system will drift southward toward the Bashi Channel, the strait between Taiwan and the Philippines, triggering temperature increases throughout the area beginning Tuesday.
The meteorological expert extended his forecast into the following week, projecting that warm atmospheric conditions will dominate Taiwan's weather pattern throughout Monday and Tuesday. These thermal air masses will produce generally favorable conditions with predominant sunshine occasionally interrupted by cloud formations, while temperatures will climb noticeably higher than seasonal averages. Wu indicated that typical afternoon convection rainfall patterns would intensify during this period. His analysis further suggested that a secondary frontal system would approach the island by midweek, though he cautioned that computer modeling continues to refine these predictions, requiring meteorologists to maintain vigilant monitoring.
Given the anticipated meteorological volatility, Wu urged both local residents and holiday travelers to maintain awareness of evolving weather bulletins and take appropriate precautionary measures for outdoor activities during the festival period. The Central Weather Administration will issue additional detailed forecasts as meteorologists gather more definitive data on the trajectory and strength of these approaching weather systems, providing greater clarity on potential impacts across different regions of Taiwan. ◼