More cold weather can be expected this weekend, the Central Weather Bureau said, adding that a cold front from China would likely lower temperatures across Taiwan and bring with it a fine film of dust.
Clouds of pollutant particles are expected to move in with the front from northeast and central China, including Inner Mongolia.
Sulfur dioxide and other air-borne pollutants are expected to increase significantly in density over the weekend, reaching up to 400mg per cubic meter, or six to 10 times normal levels across Taiwan, the Environmental Protection Agency warned yesterday.
The dust is expected to cover the country until Monday, said Chu Yu-chi (朱雨其), the director-general of the agency's department of environmental monitoring and information management.
The public is advised to use public transportation to help reduce the level of air pollution, Chu said.
Children, the elderly and those with respiratory or heart conditions are advised to stay indoors.
The bureau said the cold air mass from the north was expected to arrive today and would most likely strengthen during the week.
From Monday to Wednesday, temperatures in coastal areas of north and central Taiwan will slide to 10oC.
The bureau yesterday also issued a precipitation forecast for the next three months.
Forecast Center Director Daniel Wu (吳德榮) said the rainfall during the next three months would likely fall within the normal range, with the exception of this month, when less rain than usual may fall because of the indirect effects of "La Nina."
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