The nation's tallest mountain, Yushan (Jade Mountain, 玉山), recorded its second-lowest temperature in two decades early today, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).
The weather agency reported a temperature of minus 14.5°C at 2:04am, which was 0.5°C lower than the previous record set in 2021 at the same station.
In 2005, the CWA's station on Taiwan's highest peak recorded a temperature of minus 15.2°C.
Photo courtesy of the Yushan National Park Administration
The CWA said there was no snow in Yushan this morning, attributing the low temperature to a cold spell that brings daytime highs across northern Taiwan to 16°C or lower despite the mostly sunny skies.
Elsewhere, the CWA reported temperatures of minus 11.4°C on Nanhushan (南湖山) in Taichung and minus 10.4°C on Hehuanshan (合歡山) in Nantou County this morning.
In low-lying areas, temperatures also plummeted due to the cold spell and the radiative cooling effect.
The coldest reading was 3.6°C, recorded at the 6.4- kilometer southbound mark of the Formosa Freeway (National Freeway No. 3) in New Taipei City's Shiding District (石碇) at 12:43am.
Meanwhile, the CWA has issued a cold surge advisory for most parts of Taiwan, excluding Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Taitung counties.
According to the warning, temperatures in New Taipei City, Miaoli County, Taichung, and Changhua County may dip below 6°C tonight and early tomorrow morning, while other areas, including Kinmen County, may experience temperatures below 10°C.
The CWA advised residents in affected areas to stay warm and ensure proper ventilation when using gas or electric water heaters.
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