With the gradual weakening of an ongoing Pacific high-pressure system, the mercury is likely to fall slightly in Taiwan on Monday, but remain above 38 degrees Celsius in Hualien in the east, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB).
Heat alerts were issued for all areas in Taiwan except Hsinchu City on Sunday, as the mercury rose to 39 degrees and above at 10 weather stations around the country, including three in Hualien, with the highest temperature recorded in the county's Guangfu Township at 40.4 degrees, the CWB said.
Meanwhile, Banqiao station in New Taipei reported temperatures as high as 39.4 degrees at 2:25 p.m., the highest since the weather station was established in 2002 and breaking the record of 39.3 degrees set last Friday, according to CWB data.
The 39.4 degrees in Banqiao station was the highest recorded so far by any of the CWB's manned weather stations this year, CWB forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (???) told CNA.
The highest temperature ever recorded at a manned weather station was 40.2 degrees at Dawu station in Taitung on July 25, 2020 and at Taitung City station in Taitung on May 9, 2004, according to Chang.
In addition to the effects of the ongoing Pacific high-pressure system, westerly winds from southern China moving towards northern Taiwan also pushed the mercury higher, which resulted in a remarkable increase in temperatures in New Taipei, Chang said.
Temperatures in the Hualien section of the East Rift Valley between Hualien and Taitung are likely to reach 38 degrees Monday, while the Greater Taipei area might experience highs of 37 degrees, with 36 degrees elsewhere in the country, according to Chang.
With the high-pressure system expected to start weakening Monday, sporadic afternoon showers are forecast in mountainous areas around Taiwan, Chang said.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, parts of western Taiwan and mountainous areas in the east can expect intermittent afternoon thunderstorms, while central and southern Taiwan will see isolated showers, Chang forecast.
On Thursday, a tropical disturbance could be formed near Japan's Ryukyu Islands, which would bring an increased chance of afternoon showers, with highs of 34-36 degrees expected around Taiwan, Chang said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel