Families around Taiwan looking to the heavens tonight in celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival will likely have their view of the full moon obstructed by storm clouds.
According to the Central Weather Bureau, a monsoon from the northeast will likely bring more rain to Taiwan.
And while weather conditions across the country should stabilize as Typhoon Lekima weakens into a low pressure system and moves away, it won't be enough to offer residents a clear view of the full moon.
"Residents in northern Taiwan are less likely to be able to see the moon, as rain showers are expected to linger [today]," according Hsieh Ming-chang (
Residents in southern Taiwan stand a better chance of observing the full moon -- which according to tradition looks the largest and most beautiful tonight than on any other night of the year.
"Residents in southern Taiwan can expect cloudy weather and some chances of rain," Hsieh said. "Still, they may have a chance to enjoy the moon because the thinner clouds, compared to the northern part of the country, may not completely cover the sky."
According to Chinese custom, Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with the family. That means millions of people taking planes, trains and automobiles to be with their loved ones -- and this year is no exception.
Plan to travel by plane but don't have a ticket? Don't bother.
"All tickets for our flights to Taipei [today] are sold out," said a representative for TransAsia Airwyas.
Slow going is also expected on the nation's railways. Though railway transportation has been restored in the wake of Typhoon Nari, travelers can still expect delays.
"The cars will be very crowded," said Chang Yu-shang (鄭玉盛), a director at the Taipei Train Station for the Taiwan Railway Administration.
"In addition, passengers can expect late train arrivals because the trains have to slow down at construction sites and places where flood damage has not been completely cleared," Chang said.
"But in general, train operations should be smoother than that at the beginning of the weekend."
The railway administration failed to fulfill its promise to fully repair typhoon-related damage in time for the holiday, leading to complaints from travelers.
In addition, the railway administration failed to inform the public of transportation alternatives, even though railway staff knew it would be impossible to repair damaged bridges and signals in time.
"Tons of complaint letters about the railway traffic jams and late train arrivals have come to our office," Chang said.
Travelers are dealing with transportation snags as best as they can.
"I hope the MRT will resume operation as soon as possible," said Wei Yu-ing (
The nation's highways are also expected to be clogged with traffic today.
"Traffic jams are inevitable for northbound travelers every year during Mid-Autumn Festival, because people are returning to work the next day," said an official at Kuokuang Passenger Transport Co.
This is Kuokuang's first Mid-Autumn Festival. The busing company, set up earlier this year, is the private off-shoot of the state-run Taiwan Motor Transport Co.
RSS