The Central Weather Bureau issued the year's first wind-chill warning yesterday, saying temperatures in parts of central and northern Taiwan could hit 7?C tomorrow morning.
The weather bureau urged seniors to take precautions, while health authorities said the number of flu patients in northern Taiwan had been increasing.
Forecasters urged people in poor shape and the elderly to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid exposure to the cold, which they said can make people seriously ill.
Forecasters said a mass of cold air over China could be the most powerful cold front to hit Taiwan since last winter.
According to meteorologist Chen Wei-liang (
Chen said the temperature in northern Taiwan tomorrow would likely drop to 10?C.
"But the coldest temperatures will be reached on Saturday morning, when temperatures in some coastal areas will be between 7?C and 9?C," Chen said.
Chen said owners of fish farms should also take preventive measures to ensure the survival of aquatic creatures.
The lowest temperature this winter, 8.3?C, was measured in Chiayi on Monday and Tuesday.
A die-off of more than 10,000 milkfish during the cold snap caused a serious financial loss for owners of fish farms.
Chen said the weather would be affected by the cold front until Sunday, but that the temperature would not likely bounce back significantly next week.
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