The mercury in Miaoli County dipped to 7.5°C early today, the lowest ground temperature recorded in Taiwan so far for the day, as a continental cold air mass blanketed the country, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).
The low of 7.5°C was recorded in the northern county's Dahe Township, while New Taipei's Shiding and Wugu districts registered lows of 7.8 and 8.8°C, respectively, CWA data showed.
Early morning ground temperatures in the western and northeastern regions of Taiwan averaged 11-13°C today, with the mercury dropping below 10°C in some areas.
Photo: Taipei Times file photo
The CWA has forecast daytime highs of 15-17°C in northern, northeastern and eastern parts of Taiwan and 19-22°C in other regions, while temperatures on the outlying islands are expected to hover between 8 and 15°C today.
The cold weather will continue through tomorrow in northern and northeastern regions of the country, the CWA said, warning of low temperatures at night and in the early hours of the morning around the country.
As of noon, the CWA had issued an "orange" cold surge advisory, warning that temperatures may remain around 10°C in New Taipei's Shuangxi, Pinglin, Pingxi and Shiding districts.
According to the CWA forecast, the current cold air mass will gradually wane on Saturday, but low early morning temperatures can be expected nationwide over the next few days.
Meanwhile, sunny to cloudy skies will prevail today in most parts of the country, except for the Keelung north coast, mountainous areas in the Greater Taipei area, and in the east, where occasional showers are likely, the CWA said.
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