TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A cold air mass from the mainland has prompted Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署) to issue a cold weather alert for eight counties and cities on Tuesday (Jan. 13). The CWA predicted temperatures could drop below 6 degrees Celsius in Kinmen County and below 10 degrees in New Taipei City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and Hualien County.
TVBS's meteorological consultant Cheng Ming-dean (鄭明典) noted that the strong cold front reached its peak this morning, and temperatures might rise slightly at night due to new high-pressure systems. The administration indicated that the cold front will affect Taiwan through Jan. 14, bringing chilly mornings and evenings, especially in the western regions, where the temperature difference between day and night will be significant. Northern areas and Yilan will see temperatures generally ranging from 10 to 13 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures around 10 degrees or lower are expected to occur in parts of northern Taiwan, Hualien, Kinmen, and Matsu, while other regions may experience lows of 15 to 17 degrees. The CWA advised residents to take necessary precautions to stay warm. With drier air moving south, Jan. 13 will see reduced moisture levels, resulting in mostly cloudy to sunny skies across the island, except for brief showers in Hualien, eastern areas, and the Hengchun Peninsula.