Tropical storm Saudel to bring moisture to northern Taiwan

颱風沙德爾將為北台灣帶來水氣

Meteorologist predicts temperatures could drop to 16 degrees on weekend


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The newly formed tropical storm Saudel will not make landfall in Taiwan, but it is expected to bring moisture to the northern and eastern parts of the country in the coming days.

The tropical storm will pass through the Philippines' Luzon Island early Wednesday (Oct. 21) and arrive in the central South China Sea the following morning, Chen Jian-an (陳建安) of the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said Tuesday morning (Oct. 20). Saudel could develop into a typhoon by that evening.

Intermittent rain is forecast in Keelung, Yilan, and Hualien and mountainous parts of Taipei and New Taipei on Wednesday. Some areas in these areas are also likely to see heavy rains.

The storm will also bring moisture to Taoyuan, the southeast, and central and southern mountain ranges. Strong winds are forecast across Taiwan on Wednesday, especially in coastal areas and on outlying islands.

Temperatures will gradually decline later this week. The mercury is expected to drop to between 23 and 28 degrees in the north on Wednesday but likely to 19 degrees on the weekend, according to the CWB. Temperatures in central Taiwan this week are projected to remain between 21 and 32 degrees, but on Sunday (Oct. 25) temperatures may be as low as 20 degrees.

Meteorologist Wu Der-rong (吳德榮) said on Wednesday morning that the mercury could dip to between 16 and 18 degrees this weekend due to a cold air mass. He did not specify which regions the lower temperatures can be expected.

Temperatures in the south will fluctuate between 22 and 33 degrees throughout the week, while the moist and cloudy northeast will see temperatures swinging from 19 to 26 degrees during the same period.

The coolest temperatures forecast for the weekend will be in Matsu. The outlying island is likely to experience cloudy weather, with the mercury dropping to 18 to 21 degrees.