TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A tropical system threatens Taiwan with heavy rainfall as temperatures could plummet across the island by this weekend, meteorologist Wu Der-romg (吳德榮) warned Tuesday (Oct. 14). The approaching weather system poses significant risks to northern and eastern regions. A northeast monsoon moving southward by Friday (Oct. 18) evening will compound the threat through Sunday (Oct. 20).
Wu, writing in his column at National Central University (NCU, 中央大學), noted the tropical system southeast of Taiwan is interacting with cold and warm systems, creating unprecedented uncertainty in international weather models. European simulations project the system will traverse the Bashi Channel, while U.S. ensemble models suggest a path through both the Bashi Channel and northern Luzon Island. This divergence reflects the system's highly unpredictable trajectory.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's national weather service, issued high-temperature advisories for Tuesday as nine cities and counties face dangerous heat reaching 36 degrees Celsius (96.8°F). Taipei City, New Taipei City, Tainan City, Pingtung County, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Changhua County, Yunlin County, and Chiayi City all received warnings. Wu emphasized urgent need for sun protection and heatstroke prevention as scorching conditions persist through Friday (Oct. 18), with only isolated mountain and eastern showers providing relief. ◼
