TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) issued severe thunderstorm alerts Wednesday (Sept. 3) for multiple northern regions including Taoyuan City, Yilan County, and New Taipei City, warning residents to remain vigilant against dangerous landslides, rockfalls, mudslides, and hazardous low visibility conditions. The weather agency's urgent advisory reflects deteriorating atmospheric conditions threatening public safety across Taiwan's densely populated northern corridor. Emergency officials urged immediate precautionary measures as severe weather systems continue developing over the island.
The CWA released comprehensive heavy rain advisories for Keelung's northern coast and mountainous regions across multiple counties including Taipei City, Taichung City, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Hualien County, and Taitung County. Weather officials issued a specific torrential rain warning for mountainous areas of Yilan County's Datong Township. The administration advised residents near Fan Fan Creek (梵梵溪) to remain vigilant and avoid dangerous river areas and water activities.
Meteorologist Chao Hung (趙竑) explained that severe thunderstorms will develop Wednesday and Thursday due to the powerful influence of a cold-core low pressure system moving across Taiwan. He noted that mountainous regions might experience particularly heavy rainfall concentrations, while precipitation in the southern Kaohsiung and Pingtung areas could extend dangerously to low-lying plains. The weather pattern represents a significant shift in Taiwan's atmospheric conditions, potentially affecting millions of residents across the island.
Chao added that the Pacific high pressure system will strengthen starting Friday, concentrating severe weather into dangerous afternoon thunderstorms primarily affecting Taiwan's mountainous regions. Rainfall will intensify significantly Saturday across southern Taiwan, while precipitation chances will rise substantially in the eastern half of the island and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), Taiwan's southernmost tip. The shifting weather patterns signal continued instability across the island's diverse topographical regions.