Taipei, Taiwan — January 6, 2026
A strong continental cold air mass moved southward over Taiwan on Tuesday, January 6, causing temperatures nationwide to drop steadily. Meteorologists warned that due to radiative cooling during the night, some flatland areas near mountainous regions in central and southern Taiwan could experience temperatures of around 10°C or lower, urging the public to take extra precautions against the cold.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that parts of eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula are seeing brief, localized showers, while northern Taiwan is experiencing intermittent light rain before turning mostly cloudy. Other regions, including Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, are expected to have partly cloudy to clear skies.
Daytime highs have dropped noticeably. Temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan are hovering around 15–16°C, while central Taiwan and Hualien are seeing highs of 19–21°C. In southern Taiwan and Taitung, daytime temperatures remain relatively warmer at 22–24°C. Weather officials noted that central and southern areas are facing pronounced differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures and advised residents to adjust clothing accordingly.
On the outlying islands, Penghu recorded temperatures of about 15–16°C, Kinmen ranged from 11–16°C, and Matsu remained colder at around 10–11°C.
Looking ahead, weather analysts said that localized low temperatures near 10°C or below may continue through Tuesday. From Wednesday to Friday, daytime temperatures are expected to rise slightly with increased sunshine, but nighttime conditions will remain cold due to ongoing radiative cooling, resulting in large daily temperature swings. Another brief strengthening of cold air is forecast for Saturday, maintaining cold air mass conditions with chilly nights. By Sunday, the cold air is expected to weaken as winds shift easterly, allowing nighttime temperatures to gradually recover, with lows estimated at 11–15°C.
Authorities continue to remind the public—especially seniors and those in colder regions—to stay warm as the cold spell persists.