TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) warned on Monday (Jan. 5) of a significant temperature drop across Taiwan as a strong continental cold air mass approaches the island. Low temperatures could plunge to between 10 and 13 degrees Celsius (50.0°F to 55.4°F) in northern and central Taiwan, including Yilan and Kinmen, starting Tuesday (Jan. 6). The cold front will bring sporadic rain to the eastern region and Hengchun (恆春) Peninsula, while northern areas will experience cloudy skies following brief showers.
The CWA predicted that southern Taiwan, Hualien, Taitung, and Penghu, Taiwan's outlying islands, will see temperatures hover between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius (59.0°F to 62.6°F). Matsu, a Taiwan-controlled island chain near China, will see lows of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius (50.0°F to 53.6°F) during the cold spell. The weather is expected to remain chilly on Wednesday (Jan. 7) and Thursday (Jan. 8) due to the cold air mass and radiative cooling, with highs of 16 to 24 degrees Celsius (60.8°F to 75.2°F) across various regions.
The cold wave will slightly weaken on Friday (Jan. 9) and Saturday (Jan. 10), leading to a slight daytime temperature increase across the island. Radiative cooling will keep mornings and evenings cold, with significant day-night temperature differences in the western regions of Taiwan. The CWA advised residents to stay warm and monitor weather updates, noting cold conditions will persist through Sunday (Jan. 11) with mostly cloudy to clear skies and isolated showers in eastern areas. ◼