Tomorrow’s Weather in Taiwan: A Shift from Cold to Mild
Today marks the ‘Rain Water’ solar term, coinciding with the second day of the Lunar New Year. Forecaster Zheng Jie-ren from the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) reports that the continental cold air mass will continue to influence Taiwan until tomorrow morning. However, as the day progresses, the cold air will weaken, leading to a return to cooler mornings and evenings with a significant temperature difference between day and night.
Looking ahead, Zheng Jie-ren indicates that eastern Taiwan will experience localized, sporadic rainfall starting tomorrow. Western Taiwan will generally enjoy cloudy to sunny conditions. However, mountainous areas in the west will have occasional chances of light rain from tomorrow through Friday. On Friday, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, some moisture will move eastward across Taiwan, bringing slightly increased rainfall to Greater Taipei and eastern regions, while other areas will remain mostly cloudy to sunny.
Cold Air Mass Impact and Temperature Recovery
The cold air mass has been affecting Taiwan since yesterday. Zheng Jie-ren explains that northern Taiwan and Yilan have felt particularly cool throughout the day, with cooler temperatures also experienced in other regions during the mornings and evenings. This morning, Taipei recorded a low of 14.4°C, with the lowest temperature reaching 14.0°C, meeting the criteria for a continental cold air mass. The impact is expected to diminish tomorrow morning.
As the day progresses tomorrow, the cold air will gradually weaken, and temperatures will begin to rise. By the time work resumes, temperatures across Taiwan will become milder, even somewhat warm.
Rainfall Patterns and Future Forecasts
During this period, rainfall will primarily affect the windward slopes of eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula. On Friday, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, increased moisture will bring localized rainfall to Greater Taipei, northern and eastern regions, and the Hengchun Peninsula, with occasional light rain possible in mountainous areas of central and northern Taiwan.
Another strengthening of the northeasterly winds is expected next Tuesday, which will lead to an increase in rainfall on the windward slopes.
Current Weather Conditions
Currently, a cold high-pressure system is located to the north, and lower-level clouds are gradually influencing Taiwan. Northern and eastern regions are experiencing more cloud cover, while central and southern regions are mostly cloudy to sunny. Overall, moisture levels are lower than yesterday, with some rainfall still possible along the eastern coast, Lanyu, and Green Island. Isolated showers may occur in northern mountainous areas, but most other regions will remain dry.
Temperature Distribution
This morning, temperatures in areas north of Taichung and in Yilan were generally around 14°C or below. Low temperatures below 14°C were also recorded in the near-mountainous areas of central and southern Taiwan. The lowest temperature this morning was 9.0°C in Nan’gan, Lienchiang County, and 10.6°C in Shimen, New Taipei City. Keelung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu also recorded lows between 11 and 12°C.
Today, high temperatures in northern Taiwan, Yilan, and Hualien are expected to reach 18-20°C, feeling relatively cool. Temperatures in Taichung to Tainan and Taitung will range between 22-24°C, while Pingtung will be warmer, with highs of 25-26°C. Rainfall will be more likely in eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula. The Matsu Islands will remain cool throughout the day, while Penghu and Kinmen may reach highs of around 19°C, but will still be cool in the evenings and mornings.
Looking Ahead: A Warming Trend with a Return to Cooler Weather
The cold air mass will weaken tomorrow, with continued chances of sporadic rainfall in eastern Taiwan and occasional light rain in the western mountainous areas. Rainfall amounts will be small and localized. On Friday, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, some moisture from southern China will move eastward to northern Taiwan, bringing localized rainfall to Greater Taipei, eastern regions, and the Hengchun Peninsula, with possible light rain in mountainous areas of central and northern Taiwan. Other areas will remain mostly cloudy to sunny.
From Saturday, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, through Monday, the weather will gradually transition to easterly to southeasterly winds. Rainfall will be concentrated in Hualien, Taitung, and the Hengchun Peninsula, with some localized showers possible. Yilan may also experience isolated showers, while western Taiwan will generally remain cloudy to sunny.
Another cold air mass is expected to arrive next Tuesday, strengthening the northeasterly winds and increasing rainfall in northern Taiwan, Yilan, and the Hengchun Peninsula.
Temperature Trends for the Week
Today, temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan will remain below 20°C, with slightly cooler temperatures in eastern Taiwan. Central Taiwan may reach 22°C, and southern Taiwan could see highs of 24-26°C, resulting in a significant temperature difference between north and south. Tomorrow, temperatures will gradually rise across Taiwan, with highs potentially exceeding 20°C. From Friday to Monday, temperatures will continue to rise daily, especially on Saturday and Sunday, with highs of 24°C or above across Taiwan. The western half of the island may experience highs of 25-28°C, even reaching 30°C, feeling warm to hot during the day, but with significant temperature differences between day and night.
The arrival of another northeasterly wind next Tuesday will cause temperatures to drop in northern Taiwan and Yilan, and potentially in Hualien as well. Central and southern Taiwan will not be immediately affected.
The largest temperature differences between day and night today will be in central and southern Taiwan, with differences of 8°C or more, and up to 10-15°C in some areas. After the northeasterly winds weaken tomorrow, the temperature difference between day and night will be particularly pronounced south of Hsinchu, reaching 10°C or even 15°C or more. It’s important to adjust clothing accordingly to stay comfortable.
