Heavy Rain Alert for June 14-15 as Front Approaches; Stable Weather Expected for Dragon Boat Festival Holiday

According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA), rainfall over the next week is expected to increase before decreasing. The most significant rainfall will occur on June 14 and 15 due to the influence of a frontal system and strong southwesterly winds, with a particular need for caution against localized heavy rain or torrential rain in central and southern Taiwan. Rainfall will decrease from June 16, with temperatures rising, and the weather during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday (June 19-21) is forecast to be relatively stable.

The CWA updated its heavy rain advisory on the afternoon of June 11, warning of localized heavy rain in areas south of Chiayi and in the mountainous regions from Miaoli to Yunlin, advising caution against lightning, strong gusts, landslides, falling rocks, rising river levels in mountainous areas, and flooding in low-lying areas.

According to the CWA website, as of 5:00 PM on June 11, the highest accumulated rainfall was 105 mm in Jiaxian District, Kaohsiung City, followed by 100 mm each in Nanhua District, Tainan City, and Dapu Township, Chiayi County.

CWA forecaster Huang En-hung told CNA that on June 12, the front will continue to influence the weather, bringing intermittent showers or localized thunderstorms and heavy rain to the western half of Taiwan, with localized light rain in other areas. Rainfall is expected to ease from the evening of June 12.

Huang pointed out that on June 13, the front will move northward to the sea north of Taiwan. During the day, most areas will turn cloudy, but in the afternoon, there will be intermittent thunderstorms in areas north of central Taiwan and in Yilan and Hualien, with the possibility of localized heavy rain in mountainous areas. From the evening of June 13, southwesterly winds will strengthen, increasing rainfall again in central and southern areas.

Huang noted that June 14 and 15 will be the two days with the most significant rainfall in the coming week due to the frontal system and strong southwesterly winds. There will be intermittent showers or thunderstorms across Taiwan, with a particular risk of localized heavy rain or torrential rain in central and southern areas, and localized heavy rain in the afternoon in the north and east. On June 16, the southwesterly winds will weaken, moisture will gradually decrease, and temperatures will rise day by day. On June 17 and 18, there will be localized intermittent showers or thunderstorms in areas south of Chiayi and in the southeast, while the north and east have a chance of seeing sunshine.

Regarding temperatures, Huang said that on June 12, northern Taiwan will be cooler with a high of about 24 degrees Celsius, while other areas will be around 27 to 29 degrees. From June 13 to 16, highs will be around 27 to 30 degrees. From June 17 onwards, temperatures will rise again, reaching 30 to 32 degrees. Current forecasts indicate that the weather during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday (June 19-21) will be relatively stable and hot, with afternoon thunderstorms being the main weather pattern.

Huang reminded that on June 14, due to strong southwesterly winds, there is a possibility of foehn winds (焚風) occurring in southeastern areas before the rain begins.