TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces fluctuating temperatures through mid-December as the northeast monsoon weakens and intensifies, with a potential tropical disturbance developing east of the Philippines by Friday (Dec. 5). Meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) reported Friday (Dec. 5) in his National Central University (NCU, 中央大學) column that reduced monsoon moisture brings cloudy northern skies, clear central and southern weather, and occasional eastern rain. Radiative cooling creates colder mornings and evenings despite comfortable daytime temperatures in southern regions.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's meteorological agency, reported Hsinchu County's Guanxi (關西) Township recorded the morning's lowest temperature at 11.3 degrees Celsius (52.3°F), while Chiayi County's Zhuqi (竹崎) Township saw 11.9°C (53.4°F). Wu expects Friday temperatures ranging from 15-22°C (59-72°F) in the north, 12-26°C (54-79°F) centrally, 12-27°C (54-81°F) in the south, and 13-24°C (55-75°F) in the east.
Wu predicted radiative cooling will lower temperatures to around 12°C (54°F) in western plains by Saturday morning, with the monsoon weakening and temperatures rising during the day. By Sunday, temperatures will continue rising with mostly sunny western weather and occasional eastern rain. The northeast monsoon intensifies Monday (Dec. 8), bringing more moisture, slightly lower temperatures, and potential northern and eastern rain, before gradually weakening from Tuesday (Dec. 9) with reduced rain chances and slightly increasing temperatures.
Western Taiwan will experience partly cloudy skies by Tuesday (Dec. 10) and Wednesday (Dec. 11), while the east may see occasional rain, with temperatures rising to comfortable daytime levels and cooler evenings. Wu noted European weather models suggest strong cold air moving south around Friday (Dec. 13) or Saturday (Dec. 14), though forecasts vary in intensity and timing, warranting continued observation.