TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Snowfall blanketed central Taiwan's Mount Hehuan (合歡山) starting at 3 a.m. Friday (Jan. 2), prompting road closures and travel warnings. The Central Weather Administration (氣象署) issued cold weather advisories for New Taipei City, Keelung City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City, and Hsinchu County. The mountain's Songsyue Lodge (松雪樓), a popular alpine destination, was covered in snow, transforming the area into a winter landscape.
Chang Chieh-chun (張傑鈞), manager of Songsyue Lodge, reported dense fog significantly reduced visibility in the area. Authorities require vehicles traveling on Provincial Highway 14 (台14甲線) to the Kunyang (昆陽) scenic spot to install snow chains before proceeding. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (林業及自然保育署) in Nantou County advises visitors to dress warmly and drive cautiously to avoid weather-related accidents.
The Central Region Branch Office of the Highway Bureau (公路局) closed Provincial Highway 14 from Tsui Feng (翠峰) at the 18K marker to Dayuling (大禹嶺) at the 41.5K marker Thursday (Jan. 1) night. Officials lifted the closure at 7 a.m. Friday, allowing traffic to resume. The section from Yuanfeng (鳶峰) at the 25.8K marker to Dayuling remains icy, requiring snow chains with adjustments based on road conditions.
The Highway Bureau recommends four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow chains for the route from Wuling (武嶺) at the 31.7K marker to Songsyue Lodge at the 32.7K marker. Thicker ice on the shaded side of the road poses additional challenges for drivers. Authorities urge travelers to remain vigilant while navigating these hazardous conditions. ◼