TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan braces for scorching temperatures Thursday (Sept. 4) as meteorologist Wu Derong (吳德榮) warned northern regions will reach 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F) in his column for National Central University (中央大學), a prestigious Taiwanese institution. Wu cautioned that strong afternoon convection in mountainous areas threatens to extend into lowlands, triggering dangerous localized thunderstorms across the island. The forecast signals another punishing day of extreme heat and volatile weather conditions for residents.
Wu advised that temperatures today range from 22 to 36 degrees Celsius (71.6 to 96.8°F) in the north, 23 to 35 degrees Celsius (73.4 to 95°F) in central regions, 24 to 35 degrees Celsius (75.2 to 95°F) in the south, and 22 to 35 degrees Celsius (71.6 to 95°F) in the east. He recommended sun protection and hydration to prevent heatstroke during outdoor activities. Recent European simulations predict northern Taiwan temperatures will soar to 37 to 38 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 100.4°F) on Friday (Sept. 5) and Saturday (Sept. 6), with dangerous UV levels at noon.
A tropical depression east of the Ryukyu Islands intensified into a tropical storm early Thursday (Sept. 4), moving north before making a sharp turn to strike Kyushu, Japan. The storm poses no threat to Taiwan's safety or infrastructure. Wu also noted that from Saturday (Sept. 7) to Wednesday (Sept. 11), the annual high tide may cause coastal flooding from Changhua to Chiayi and Hualien counties. The Central Weather Administration (氣象署), Taiwan's meteorological authority, highlighted a large low-pressure zone stretching from the South China Sea to the eastern Philippines, indicating significant potential for tropical system development. ◼