TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Meteorologist Wu De-rong (吳德榮) forecasts a significant temperature drop in northern Taiwan starting Wednesday (Dec. 3). The Taipei Astronomy and Weather Station (台北觀測站) expects temperatures to dip to around 15 degrees Celsius (59°F). Areas north of Miaoli, a county in northwestern Taiwan, may see lows of 12 degrees Celsius (53.6°F) due to reduced water vapor.
Wu noted in in his column for National Central University (NCU, 中央大學) that this cold spell, similar to the strongest wave last month, remains at the northeast monsoon level. The cold spell does not meet the continental cold air mass criteria, a more severe weather classification in Taiwan. Wu emphasized the need for warmth as radiation cooling will contribute to colder dawns over the next few days.
The cold air is expected to weaken by the weekend, with temperatures gradually rising during daytime hours. Radiation cooling, nighttime heat loss causing temperature drops, will persist in the early hours of Saturday (Dec. 6). Wu forecasts temperatures will begin recovering throughout the day as the cold air mass weakens over Taiwan.
WeatherRisk Explore Inc (天氣風險管理開發), a private weather forecasting company, pointed out in its Facebook page that Greater Taipei will see occasional light drizzle. Some inland areas of eastern Taiwan will also experience light rain on Friday (Dec. 5). Greater Taipei comprises Taipei City, New Taipei City, and surrounding metropolitan areas in northern Taiwan.
The northeast monsoon is expected to move south on Sunday (Dec. 8) and strengthen again on Thursday (Dec. 12). The strengthening monsoon will potentially bring a stronger wave of cold air that could approach continental cold air mass levels. WeatherRisk warns the December mid-month cold spell may be more severe than the current temperature drop. ◼