Taiwan is bracing for sweltering heat today, with temperatures anticipated to soar up to 37°C in some areas. This heatwave is set to precede the impact of Typhoon Mekkhala, which is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms later in the week. The Central Weather Administration has indicated that most of the island will experience a mix of cloudy and sunny skies, with daytime highs ranging between 31°C and 36°C. Regions north of Taoyuan, inland parts of central and southern Taiwan, and the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley may see temperatures climbing above 37°C.
Typhoon Mekkhala is forecasted to approach Taiwan closely by Wednesday, though it is not predicted to make landfall. Nevertheless, the typhoon’s outer bands could result in sporadic showers and thunderstorms, particularly affecting northeastern and western regions of Taiwan. Southern mountainous areas could also face localized heavy rain. As of Tuesday afternoon, Mekkhala was positioned approximately 500 kilometers southeast of Oluanpi, advancing toward the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan. Weather experts anticipate that the storm will weaken gradually due to less favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Following Mekkhala’s passage, a weather front situated north of Taiwan is expected to maintain unsettled weather conditions through Friday and Saturday. This system could bring intermittent rain and thunderstorms to central and northern parts of the island, with scattered showers likely elsewhere. The anticipated increase in cloud cover and precipitation is expected to reduce temperatures to around 30°C from midweek through the weekend.
In the meantime, Tropical Storm Higos, currently located far to the east-southeast of Taiwan, is projected to head towards Japan and is not expected to affect Taiwan’s weather. Residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and prepare for potential changes brought by these systems.