It may only be early April, but Taiwan’s hot summer already seems to be fast approaching. High temperatures in Taiwan’s southern cities have prompted the Central Weather Bureau to issue a heat warning.
It’s the first day of the Tomb Sweeping Festival, and Taiwan has the perfect holiday weather. Central Weather Bureau forecaster Kuan Hsin-ping says Kaohsiung and Tainan cities should take precautions against the heat.
He says Taiwan’s western plains capture a lot of heat, so that’s why the bureau is issuing a warning. Temperatures could reach 36 degrees Celsius.
But it’s a more complicated story across the rest of the island. Friday and Saturday will see hot weather, but sporadic rain in the central mountains and on the east coast. From Sunday, a northeasterly wind will bring rain and cause temperatures to drop. Then Tuesday and Wednesday will see temperatures rise again and stabilize.
Kuan says northern Taiwan will experience highs around 24 to 26 degrees on Sunday, but that will drop to around 20 degrees on Monday and Tuesday.
Taiwan’s outlying islands are also experiencing unusual weather. The Central Weather Bureau has issued warnings for thick fog. On the islands of Kinmen and Matsu morning visibility has dropped to less than 200 meters. That’s why authorities are asking people to drive safe and keep their eyes on the road.