TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) forecasted Tuesday (Dec. 9) a significant weather shift in Taiwan with a cold air mass expected over Saturday (Dec. 13) and Sunday (Dec. 14). Forecaster Tsai I-chi (蔡伊其) noted a decrease in moisture and rainfall on Wednesday (Dec. 10), but a strengthening northeast monsoon on Thursday (Dec. 11) and Friday (Dec. 12) will expand rain zones.
A new wave of strong cold air is expected to move south on Saturday and Sunday, potentially reaching "continental air mass" levels. The coldest period may occur late Sunday night into early morning on Dec. 15, with open area temperatures possibly dropping to around 10 degrees Celsius (50°F). Tsai explained that on Wednesday, moisture levels will decrease, resulting in fewer rain showers, with only sporadic showers anticipated on the north coast of Keelung, the Greater Taipei Mountains, and Yilan.
The northeast monsoon will intensify on Thursday, bringing localized rain to the north coast of Keelung, Yilan, the Greater Taipei Mountains, Hualien, Taitung, and Hengchun (恆春). Friday and Saturday will see increased moisture and more pronounced rainfall on the north coast of Keelung and Yilan, expanding to areas north of Taoyuan. Tsai advised caution as the strong cold air arrives Saturday afternoon, dropping temperatures significantly across Taiwan.
This cold spell is expected to culminate on Sunday night. In mountainous and open regions, the dry cold and radiation cooling can lead to temperatures as low as 10 to 11 degrees Celsius (50 to 51.8°F) in the early morning on Dec. 15. The cold air is expected to weaken by Dec. 16, allowing temperatures to gradually rise back to normal seasonal levels. ◼