TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan residents are enduring scorching heat as temperatures climb to 32-36 degrees Celsius (89.6-96.8°F) on Thursday (July 3), prompting warnings from the Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national meteorological agency. Health officials are urging the public to take precautions against dangerous ultraviolet radiation, especially during peak daylight hours. Meteorologists are also monitoring Tropical Storm MUN, which formed southeast of Japan early Thursday morning but currently poses no immediate threat to the island.
Forecasters warn that localized temperatures could surge beyond 37 degrees Celsius (98.6°F) across northern Taiwan, while central, southern, and northeastern regions — including the outlying island of Kinmen — may experience readings exceeding 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F). Weather models indicate scattered showers will provide brief relief in northern and eastern areas and along the Hengchun Peninsula, Taiwan's southernmost tip. Meanwhile, southern Chiayi county and mountainous regions face the possibility of sudden afternoon thunderstorms as the heat intensifies.
Taiwan's offshore archipelagos will experience diverse weather patterns, with temperatures in Penghu ranging from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius (80.6-91.4°F), Kinmen from 28 to 35 degrees Celsius (82.4-95°F), and Matsu from 28 to 31 degrees Celsius (82.4-87.8°F). The CWA has issued advisories for strong gusts along coastal areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Pingtung counties. According to the Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部), Taiwan's environmental protection agency, air quality in western Taiwan will remain at moderate levels as stagnant air masses trap pollutants, while eastern Yilan, Hualien, and the offshore territories enjoy cleaner conditions.
As Taiwan braces for this early July heat wave, health authorities are advising residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during peak hours, and monitor local forecasts for sudden weather changes. Elderly citizens and those with chronic health conditions face particular risk from the extreme temperatures, according to public health officials. The current weather system is expected to persist through the weekend, with only minimal relief from occasional showers. ◼