Monsoons to bring mercury drop

WEAK IMPACT: The monsoons are expected to have a limited effect, but would bring brief showers and a dip in temperatures as low as 19°C in some areas, the CWA said

After a mostly stable weekend, three successive waves of northeasterly monsoons are to affect Taiwan over the coming week, bringing localized showers and temperatures as low as 19°C, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.

CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said that the first wave strengthened yesterday and would last through tomorrow, although the effects of this weaker wave would not be very noticeable.

Today, the winds are to gradually shift easterly, bringing more moisture to windward areas, Chang said.

A man views the Taipei skyline from a lookout spot on Aug. 27.

Photo: CNA

Localized brief showers are expected along Keelung’s north coast, the greater Taipei area, the eastern half of the country and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), while areas south of Taoyuan would see mostly cloudy to sunny skies, he said.

Tomorrow, the wind is to shift to a southerly direction, reducing moisture and bringing mostly cloudy to clear weather nationwide, with only isolated showers in the east and on the Hengchun Peninsula, he added.

The second wave of northeasterly winds are to strengthen on Monday and Tuesday, bringing increased rainfall to areas north of Taoyuan and the eastern half of the country, Chang said.

The monsoon would weaken on Wednesday, limiting brief showers to Keelung’s north coast and the east, before a third wave strengthens on Thursday and Friday, bringing renewed localized rain to areas north of Taoyuan and the east, he said.

Lows across Taiwan are to range from 20°C to 23°C over the coming week, Chang said.

Early this morning, areas north of central Taiwan and the northeast were forecast to be slightly cooler, with lows dipping to 19°C in some areas, Chang said.

Highs would reach 26°C to 27°C in the north and northeast, 31°C in central and southern Taiwan, and 28°C to 29°C in Hualien and Taitung counties, he said.

Daytime temperatures in the north and northeast would rebound significantly tomorrow, with highs nationwide reaching 28°C to 32°C, he added.

Meanwhile, Severe Typhoon In-fa is projected to veer north over the waters south of Japan, maintaining a distance of at least 2,000km from Taiwan, Chang said.

The storm is to begin its initial northward turn today before taking a sharper turn to the northeast on Wednesday, he added.

Although In-fa would not directly affect Taiwan, the public should watch out for long coastal waves along Keelung’s north coast, the eastern seaboard and the Hengchun Peninsula for a full week starting tomorrow, he said.