Heavy rain is expected to fall continuously this week, as the nation enters the peak of the plum rain season, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said yesterday.
The bureau issued a heavy rainfall forecast yesterday morning, raising it to a torrential rain warning in the afternoon.
Rainfall of more than 50mm over 24 hours — including at least 15mm within an hour — is expected for most of Taiwan proper, with the exception of Hualien and Taitung counties.
People living in mountainous western areas, in particular, are warned of heavy or torrential rainfall, while those in northern and eastern Taiwan are urged to prepare for heavy rainfall. People in low-lying areas are asked to take precautionary measures against flooding.
The heavy rainfall forecast was issued for Greater Taichung, Greater Kaohsiung and Greater Tainan, along with Chunghua, Yunlin, Nantou, Hualian, Taitung and Chiayi counties, as well as Chiayi and Hsinchu cities.
Heavy to torrential rainfall forecasts were issued for New Taipei City and Taoyuan, Miaoli and Hsinchu counties.
According to the bureau’s latest observations as of 7pm yesterday, the highest daily rainfall accumulations in the nation were 115cm at Maobitou (貓鼻頭) and 111.5cm at Hengchun (恆春), both in Pingtung County.
New Taipei City and Miaoli, Hualien and Taitung counties all reached a daily rainfall accumulation of more than 80cm as of 7pm yesterday.
The wet weather is the result of a stationary front stretching between northeastern Taiwan and Yunnan Province in southwestern China, bringing showers and thunderstorms, the bureau said.
With the monsoon expected to strengthen this week, the bureau said heavy showers are likely to spread across the entire nation before Wednesday.
It warned central and southern regions to prepare for the impact.
As the front is expected to affect the nation’s weather until Saturday, the bureau urges people to keep up-to-date with weather forecasts.
From Thursday, rain is expected to continue to hit the south, while areas in the north, northeast and east are likely to experience fewer downpours, the bureau said.
The high temperatures this week are forecast to be between 30?C and 32?C, while lows are expected to range from 24?C to 25?C.
Additional reporting by CNA
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