TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Temperatures plummeted to zero degrees Celsius (32°F) at Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (太平山國家森林遊樂區) Friday (Jan. 9), creating a frost spectacle in Yilan County, northeastern Taiwan. A strong continental cold air mass has kept temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius (50°F) across parts of New Taipei City and Yilan County. Although snow did not fall, frost-covered treetops, branches, and wooden platforms created what visitors described as a dreamlike wintry landscape.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) reported daytime highs of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius (60.8°F to 64.4°F) in western Taiwan and Yilan Friday. Central and southern regions, along with Taitung County on the southeastern coast, reached warmer temperatures of 20 to 23 degrees Celsius (68°F to 73.4°F). Officials advised the public to dress warmly due to significant temperature differences between day and night across the island.
Strong northeast winds caused rough seas along Taiwan's coast Friday, prompting officials to urge the public to exercise caution near coastal areas. Weather conditions remained mostly clear to partly cloudy across the island, with only scattered showers forecast for the Hualien-Taitung area on the east coast and the Hengchun Peninsula, Taiwan's southernmost point. The frost spectacle at Taipingshan attracted tourists eager to capture the wintry beauty despite the absence of snowfall at the popular mountain recreation area. ◼