Taiwan is bracing for a surge of intense heat with temperatures soaring to as high as 37°C in certain regions today. This heatwave is expected to precede the arrival of Typhoon Mekkhala’s outer bands, which are predicted to bring showers and thunderstorms later in the week. The Central Weather Administration has indicated that most areas will experience a mix of cloudy and sunny weather, with daytime temperatures fluctuating between 31°C and 36°C. Notably, regions north of Taoyuan, along with central and southern Taiwan’s inland areas and the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley, could see temperatures surpassing 37°C.
Typhoon Mekkhala is anticipated to pass closest to Taiwan by Wednesday. Although direct landfall is not expected, its outer circulation is likely to cause sporadic showers and thunderstorms particularly in northeastern and western parts of Taiwan. Mountainous areas in the south might also encounter localized heavy rainfall. As of Tuesday afternoon, the typhoon was positioned about 500 kilometers southeast of Oluanpi, advancing toward the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan. Weather authorities predict a gradual weakening of the storm due to less favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Following the typhoon’s passage, a weather front located north of Taiwan is projected to maintain unsettled weather conditions through Friday and Saturday. This pattern is likely to bring periodic rain and thunderstorms to central and northern regions, with scattered showers expected in other parts of the island. The combination of increased cloud cover and rainfall is anticipated to reduce temperatures to approximately 30°C from Wednesday through Saturday.
In the meantime, Tropical Storm Higos is situated far east-southeast of Taiwan and is projected to head towards Japan. Current forecasts suggest that this storm will not affect Taiwan, allowing residents to focus on the imminent impacts of Typhoon Mekkhala and the subsequent weather front.