TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) reported that the northeast monsoon will weaken from Tuesday to Wednesday (Dec. 23-24) morning, bringing clearer skies and warmer temperatures across the region. He advised that the cold and wet conditions will persist until next Sunday (December 28), when the northeast monsoon is expected to subside.
Wu forecasted another cold front to arrive on Wednesday (Dec. 24) before the northeast monsoon completely subsides, dropping temperatures by an additional 2 degrees for four days. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) indicated that the northeast monsoon will become drier on Monday (Dec. 22), with greater cloud coverage in Greater Taipei. However, there remains a chance of brief showers along the north coast and eastern regions.
From Wednesday afternoon until Saturday (Dec. 27), Wu predicts the cold front will bring localized rain to northern and eastern Taiwan, with increased cloudiness and sporadic mountain showers in central and southern areas. The zero-degree line will be lower on Christmas Day and Friday (Dec. 26), creating a chance for light snow on mountains above 3,000 meters, such as Hehuanshan (合歡山) and Xueshan (雪山). Wu cautioned that model simulations vary, and adjustments may be necessary.
Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) shared on Facebook that the U.S. NCEP model forecasted an intensified northeast monsoon starting Wednesday. This will lead to cooler weather and increased rainfall opportunities from central Taiwan northward and north of Hualien. Although most rain will be brief and scattered, Lin noted a significant increase in rainfall chances across Taiwan.