Weekly weather forecast: Four locations in Taiwan sunny and hot early in the week, with rain and cooler conditions this weekend

Sunny and hot early in the week, with temperatures running high

From October 18 (Sunday) through October 20 (Tuesday), weather in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien is expected to remain generally sunny and stable, with the chance of rain at only about 10% and relative humidity mostly between 50% and 70%. On October 18 (Sunday), a ridge of high pressure will influence the four locations, bringing mostly clear skies. There will be no significant change in pressure in the two areas on October 19 (Monday) and October 20 (Tuesday), and sunny weather will continue. During this period, highs could reach 34°C in Taipei, 33°C in Taichung, and 31°C in Kaohsiung and Hualien. Overnight lows will generally be between 24°C and 26°C, with a marked difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures and high temperatures during the day.

Taipei turns rainy first, while the other three locations stay sunny

On October 20 (Tuesday), a trough of low pressure near Taipei and Taichung will move southwest. On October 21 (Wednesday), a stationary front will also extend across the area near Taipei. From that day, Taipei is forecast to turn rainy, with the chance of rain rising to 60% on October 21 (Wednesday) and the high falling from 34°C to 28°C. On October 22 (Thursday), the chance of rain will be about 50%; the high will fall further to 25°C, while the low will drop to 19°C. Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien will remain sunny on October 21 (Wednesday), with highs of 33°C, 31°C and 28°C, respectively. They are also expected to stay sunny on October 22 (Thursday), with highs dipping slightly to around 30°C, 30°C and 28°C, respectively—a contrast with rainy Taipei.

Rain intensifies over the weekend, with heavy rain or storms across all four locations

On October 23 (Friday), Taipei’s chance of rain will reach 90%, and heavy rain or storms are forecast. The high will fall to 26°C, while relative humidity will rise to about 80%. Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien will also turn rainy that day, with chances of rain around 50% to 60%. Conditions are described as changing from sunny to rainy or bringing occasional rain, with the change arriving slightly later than in Taipei. On October 24 (Saturday), the chance of rain in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien will all reach 90%, with heavy rain or storms forecast in all four locations. Highs will generally be between 27°C and 30°C, and lows between 22°C and 25°C. Relative humidity will rise markedly across the locations, as the area affected by the rain system expands to include Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien.