Taiwanese meteorologists have warned that a cold front has arrived on the eve of Chinese New Year, bringing a significant drop in temperatures. From New Year’s Eve to the second day of the lunar new year, the cold front is expected to linger, along with the “strong radiative cooling” effect during the night, leading to temperatures plummeting to as low as 5 degrees Celsius. The public is advised to take precautions to stay warm.
According to Wu Derong, an associate professor at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at National Central University in Taiwan, the latest European model simulation from 8 p.m. on the 24th indicates that on the 25th and 26th, the northeastern winds will strengthen, bringing increased moisture on the windward side. This will result in occasional brief showers in the northern and eastern parts, with the likelihood of rain gradually increasing each day. The weather will be cooler with a mix of clouds and sun in the central and southern regions, experiencing mild heat during the day and cool mornings and evenings, often with local dense fog affecting visibility.
Wu Derong further explained that on the night of the 26th, a “cold air mass” will move southward, causing a sudden drop in temperatures. Today’s temperatures across various regions are expected to range from 14 to 22 degrees Celsius in the north, 14 to 26 degrees in the central region, 15 to 28 degrees in the south, and 15 to 25 degrees in the east.
Looking ahead, Wu Derong mentioned that on the 27th, the first wave of cold air since the beginning of winter will descend southward, leading to a continued drop in temperatures. The weather will transition from wet to dry, becoming colder as the night progresses, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees on flatlands and extending to the central region by that night. There is a chance of snow in high-altitude areas above 2,000 meters (such as Yangmingshan and Hehuanshan) during the first half of the 27th.
He also forecasted that from the early morning of the 28th (Chinese New Year’s Eve) to the early morning of the 30th (the second day of the lunar new year), cold air will envelop the region with clear skies, making it feel warm during the day due to sunlight. However, the “strong radiative cooling” effect at night will cause a dramatic drop in temperatures, expanding the range of temperatures below 10 degrees and even falling to below 5 degrees on flatlands. The significant temperature fluctuations between day and night highlight the importance of adjusting clothing to maintain health. The weather on the second day of the lunar new year and the following day will be stable with clear skies, as the cold air weakens gradually and temperatures start to rise, resulting in significant temperature differences between day and night.
Additionally, Wu Derong mentioned that various international models project a frontal passage around the fourth day of the lunar new year (February 1st), bringing weather changes. The cold air mass will continue to move southward with further drops in temperatures starting from the fifth day of the lunar new year (February 2nd). However, there are considerable discrepancies among the models regarding the timing and conditions of the rain brought by the front and the subsequent southward movement of the cold air mass. These forecasts are subject to ongoing adjustments and continuous monitoring.