TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) forecasts mostly clear skies for the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend beginning Friday (June 19). Afternoon thunderstorms remain likely in mountainous areas, and yellow-level heat alerts take effect Thursday (June 18) for Changhua, Hualien, and Taitung counties.
The alerts cite foehn wind conditions from southwesterly winds descending mountain slopes. Daytime highs of 31-34°C (88-93°F) are expected island-wide through Monday (June 22). Localized peaks of 35-36°C (95-97°F) are possible in Greater Taipei and the Hualien-Taitung valley due to subsidence effects, private forecaster WeatherRisk (天氣風險) said.
Thursday brings mostly clear conditions with isolated afternoon thunderstorms in central and northern Taiwan, the northeast, and mountain areas, where heavy rain is possible. Friday through Monday, afternoon storms will be limited to northeastern Taiwan and mountain areas.
Yellow wind advisories through Thursday evening affect Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taitung including Green Island, and Lienchiang, with sustained winds of Beaufort force 6 or higher and gusts reaching force 8. Residents should secure outdoor objects and watch for falling debris.
Maritime conditions will be rough, with Beaufort force 5-7 winds and waves of 1.5-2.5 meters (5-8 feet) in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters through Monday.
Farmers in Taitung County should take protective measures for crops. Foehn wind conditions are expected to persist through Friday, potentially causing heat stress to agricultural products.
A tropical disturbance expected to develop near Guam over the weekend poses no threat to Taiwan, forecasters said. Meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) of the Meteorological Application and Development Foundation (氣象應用推廣基金會) said the system will curve northeast toward Japan.
The Dragon Boat Festival, one of Taiwan's major traditional holidays, falls on Saturday (June 20) this year. Most workers will have a four-day weekend, making the weather outlook relevant for travel and outdoor activities including dragon boat races.
Wu noted a potential final mei-yu front may approach June 25-26, though forecasts remain uncertain. ◼