A continental cold air mass hovering over the nation is expected to strengthen today, sending temperatures plunging to lows of 11°C in areas north of Chiayi over the next three days, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.
From today to Tuesday, lows of 11°C to 13°C could be expected in those parts of the country, while in the south, lows are expected to range from 15°C to 19°C, the CWA said.
During those three days, as the cold air mass gains strength, temperatures are forecast to reach no higher than 15°C in northern Taiwan, but central and southern areas are likely to see highs of 25°C, it said.
Photo: CNA
Rain is also expected in northern Taiwan during the three days, while sporadic showers are possible in mountainous areas in central and southern parts of the country, it said.
By Wednesday, the cold air mass is to begin to weaken, and daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan are likely to rise to 24°C, before another cold front arrives on Friday, the agency forecast.
In other news, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck off Hualien County in eastern Taiwan at 12:37pm yesterday, the CWA said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The epicenter of the temblor was in the Pacific Ocean off Hualien, 40km south of Hualien County Hall, the agency’s Seismology Center said, adding that its hypocenter was 21.5km deep.
The earthquake’s intensity, which gauges the actual effect of a seismic event, was the highest in Hualien, where it measured 4 on the nation’s 7-tier intensity scale.
The quake also measured an intensity of 3 in Taitung County in southeastern Taiwan and Nantou County in the central part of the country, the CWA said.
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