Taiwan is bracing for scorching temperatures today, with some areas expected to hit highs of 37°C, before Typhoon Mekkhala’s outer bands bring rain and thunderstorms later in the week. The Central Weather Administration forecasts that most of the island will experience cloudy to sunny skies, with temperatures ranging from 31°C to 36°C. Northern regions above Taoyuan, the inland areas of central and southern Taiwan, and the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley may see temperatures exceed 37°C.
Typhoon Mekkhala is anticipated to make its closest approach to Taiwan on Wednesday, although it is not expected to make landfall. The storm’s outer circulation is likely to cause occasional showers and thunderstorms, particularly affecting northeastern and western parts of Taiwan. Mountainous regions in the south could also witness localized heavy rainfall. As of Tuesday afternoon, Mekkhala was positioned about 500 kilometers southeast of Oluanpi and was moving towards the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan. Weather experts predict the typhoon will gradually weaken due to less favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Once Mekkhala passes, a weather front north of Taiwan is expected to maintain unstable conditions through Friday and Saturday. This will bring periodic rain and thunderstorms to central and northern areas, with scattered showers elsewhere across the island. The combination of increased cloud cover and precipitation is forecast to reduce temperatures to around 30°C from Wednesday through Saturday.
In the meantime, Tropical Storm Higos, located far to the east-southeast of Taiwan, is predicted to move towards Japan and is not expected to impact Taiwan at all. Residents are advised to prepare for the upcoming weather changes and stay informed about any updates from meteorological authorities as these weather systems progress.