TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's highest peak, Yushan (玉山), recorded its first winter snowfall early Friday (Jan. 9), with 1 cm of accumulation by 6 a.m. The Yushan Weather Station (玉山氣象站) confirmed surrounding vegetation turned white as temperatures plunged overnight. The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) warned that icy conditions and sporadic snow may continue in high-altitude regions across the island.
Temperatures at the Yushan Weather Station, situated at 3,844 meters (12,612 feet) elevation, plummeted to minus 4.2 degrees Celsius (24.4°F) by 7:50 a.m. The cold front coated outdoor instruments, solar panels, and rooftops in snow. The CWA forecast low temperatures between 9 and 13 degrees Celsius (48.2°F to 55.4°F) in western Taiwan and Yilan, with Hualien and Taitung expecting 14 to 15 degrees Celsius (57.2°F to 59°F).
The CWA cautioned that icy roads and frost formation remain likely, particularly at night and in early morning hours. Sporadic snowfall or ice pellets may occur in areas above 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) if moisture conditions align. Central and northern mountain regions at elevations of 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) or higher also face potential snow or ice accumulation.
Officials urged motorists and hikers to remain vigilant about hazardous road conditions in mountainous areas across Taiwan's central and northern regions. The CWA also advised high-altitude farmers to take immediate precautions to protect crops from frost damage as freezing temperatures continue. Agricultural operations in elevated regions face significant risk as the cold spell persists through the weekend. ◼
>>> WINTER MOUNTAIN HIKING ADVISORY: Severe winter conditions affecting Taiwan's high-altitude mountains. Before HIKING: Obtain online permits with equipment documentation, check weather forecasts, carry proper gear and sub-zero sleeping bags, satellite devices, and 3+ days of emergency supplies. Inexperienced climbers should NOT attempt winter trekking. During journey: Monitor weather continuously, recognize hypothermia symptoms (shivering, confusion, drowsiness), turn back if conditions worsen. Some routes lack shelter facilities. In an emergency: Activate beacon, treat hypothermia (shelter, remove wet clothing, gradual warming), prepare for delayed rescue — helicopters cannot operate in poor weather conditions. Emergency contacts: General rescue 119