Beware of Severe Convection at Night; Central, Southern, Hualien, and Taitung Areas on Alert for Heavy Rain on the 10th

(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Xiongfeng, Taipei, 9th) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) stated that strong convection will continue to develop over western and northeastern Taiwan from tonight into tomorrow morning, with a risk of short-duration heavy rainfall. While the overall rain intensity is expected to ease slightly during the daytime on the 10th compared to the 9th, localized heavy or extremely heavy rain is still possible in central and southern Taiwan and the mountainous areas of Hualien and Taitung.

In response to the "0608 Stationary Front and Southwesterly Flow Heavy Rain Event," the CWA has activated its "Enhanced Operations for Large-Scale or Severe Heavy Rain Events."

CWA forecaster Chu Mei-lin stated at an evening press conference on the 9th that due to the influence of a stationary front and southwesterly flow throughout the day, the atmospheric environment was unstable, prone to mesoscale convection. Significant rainfall was observed in western, northeastern Taiwan, and Penghu. She warned of continued short-duration heavy rainfall from tonight into tomorrow morning.

According to the CWA website, as of 8:30 PM on the 9th, the highest accumulated rainfall was 286.5 mm in Liugui District, Kaohsiung City, followed by 243.5 mm in Heping District, Taichung City.

Chu further explained that convective cloud systems will continue to affect the area from tonight into tomorrow morning, bringing significant rain to western and northeastern Taiwan. She noted that the interaction between southwesterly winds and terrain in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung mountainous areas could cause sustained significant rainfall.

Chu pointed out that on the 10th, as the southwesterly flow weakens slightly, the rain in western and northeastern Taiwan will ease somewhat. However, localized heavy or extremely heavy rain is still expected in central and southern Taiwan, as well as Hualien and Taitung. On the 11th and 12th, the front will gradually move southward to the Bashi Channel, but brief showers or localized thunderstorms are still expected across the island, with localized heavy rain possible in central and southern Taiwan.

Chu reminded the public that due to continuous rainfall in mountainous areas recently, the soil moisture content is high, making the ground unstable and prone to landslides or rockfalls. She advised people to avoid mountain activities if possible. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150609