Lunar New Year Holiday Ends with Cool, Wet Weather Across Taiwan


Taipei: The nine-day Lunar New Year holiday concluded with cool and wet conditions across Taiwan, as a strong cold air mass is anticipated next week. Showers were forecasted on Sunday due to strengthening seasonal winds, with northern and eastern regions, as well as mountainous areas in central and southern Taiwan, being the most affected, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).



According to Focus Taiwan, daytime highs in northern Taiwan and the outlying counties of Kinmen and Penghu could see a significant drop of about 4 degrees Celsius, settling between 18 and 20 degrees. Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong cautioned that a strong cold air mass arriving on Monday could push the minimum temperature in northern Taiwan down to 9 degrees.



By Tuesday and Wednesday, the forecast indicates a shift from cold and damp to cold and dry weather, with temperatures in low-lying areas expected to drop to around 8 degrees. Wu noted the possibility of snowfall in high-altitude areas, with snow potentially falling on peaks above 2,000 meters, such as Hehuanshan and Taipingshan, from Monday night to early Tuesday.



From Wednesday night onward, snowfall will likely be restricted to altitudes above 3,000 meters. Wu’s predictions emphasize the need for residents and travelers in affected areas to prepare for these weather changes.