TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan sweltered through September, with Taipei enduring a record 19 days above 35 C, the Central Weather Administration said Monday.

The bureau said Taiwan recorded its third-highest monthly average temperature since 1951 at 28.8 C, per CNA. That average was 1.3 C above the climate norm of 27.5 C, behind only 2017 and 2014.

Other stations, including Pengjia Islet, Keelung, and Tamsui, also set new highs for the month.

Rainfall was uneven, with mostly cloudy to sunny conditions and localized afternoon showers in western and mountainous areas. Early September saw southern cloud systems, with mid-month rainfall from Tropical Storm Mitag’s outer circulation.

Typhoon Ragasa came in late September, causing torrential rain in eastern Taiwan. Overall, the island received 272.2 mm of rainfall, 22.6 mm above the 249.6 mm norm, but rainy days averaged 10.4, 2.3 fewer than usual.

The CWA based its calculations on 11 lowland stations, including Taipei, Keelung, Taichung, Tainan, Hualien, and Taitung. These reference points offer a clear picture of the island’s shifting climate patterns.