Taiwan is bracing for a significant weather shift as temperatures are predicted to soar up to 37°C in some regions today, ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Mekkhala’s outer bands later in the week. The Central Weather Administration has indicated that most areas across the island will experience a mix of cloudy and sunny skies, with daily temperatures ranging from 31°C to 36°C. Particularly, regions north of Taoyuan, central and southern inland areas, and the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley may see temperatures climbing above 37°C.
The closest approach of Typhoon Mekkhala to Taiwan is anticipated on Wednesday. Despite the storm not making landfall, its outer circulation is expected to cause periodic showers and thunderstorms in northeastern and western parts of Taiwan. Additionally, heavy localized rainfall might affect mountainous southern regions. As of Tuesday afternoon, the typhoon was positioned approximately 500 kilometers southeast of Oluanpi, advancing towards the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan. Meteorologists predict the storm will gradually lose strength due to less conducive atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Following Mekkhala’s passage, a weather front situated north of Taiwan is projected to maintain unstable conditions through to Friday and Saturday. This will likely result in intermittent rain and thunderstorms across central and northern regions, with sporadic showers affecting other parts of the island. The anticipated increase in cloud cover and rainfall is expected to bring a drop in temperatures, with highs settling around 30°C from Wednesday through Saturday.
In the broader regional weather picture, Tropical Storm Higos, which is currently positioned far to the east-southeast of Taiwan, is charting a course towards Japan. This storm is not forecasted to have any impact on Taiwan, allowing the island to primarily focus on the effects brought by Typhoon Mekkhala and the subsequent weather front.