TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Rain is forecast for northern Taiwan on New Year’s Eve, potentially dampening celebrations for those gathering to watch fireworks at Taipei 101, with heavier rainfall expected in other parts of the north, per CNA.

According to the Central Weather Administration, a heavy rain advisory was issued for Keelung, New Taipei, and Yilan County starting Wednesday morning and lasting into the evening. Residents were urged to stay alert for possible landslides and rockfalls in mountainous areas.

The agency said New Year’s Eve weather will be influenced by northeasterly winds, with increased cloud cover in northern and eastern Taiwan bringing localized showers. The public was advised to bring rain gear for outdoor activities and dress warmly, as temperatures are expected to be cooler.

In northern and northeastern Taiwan, daytime temperatures are forecast to range from 19-20 C, with overnight lows between 14-17 C. Hualien and Taitung are expected to see similar temperatures, with cooler conditions in mountainous, plain, and valley areas.

Scattered showers are forecast for Hsinchu, Miaoli, Hualien, Taitung, and the Hengchun Peninsula, while other regions will be mostly cloudy to sunny. For outlying islands, Penghu will be cloudy with occasional showers and temperatures ranging from 18-20 C. Kinmen will be cloudy with temperatures between 15-19 C, while Matsu will be cloudy with brief showers and temperatures from 12-15 C.

Regarding air quality, the Ministry of Environment said the Hsinchu–Miaoli, Yilan, and Hualien–Taitung air quality zones are rated “good.” Air quality in the Northern, Central, Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan, Kaohsiung–Pingtung, Matsu, Kinmen, and Penghu zones is rated “moderate,” with some areas in Kaohsiung–Pingtung and the outlying islands potentially reaching the orange alert level, meaning conditions are “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” and outdoor activity should be limited.

A strong continental cold air mass is expected to move south on New Year’s Day, causing temperatures to gradually drop in northern Taiwan, with other areas cooling later in the evening. Rain is forecast along the northern coast of Keelung and in mountainous areas of Greater Taipei, with a chance of localized heavy rain.

Brief showers are expected north of Taoyuan, with localized showers in eastern Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula. Scattered showers are also forecast for the Hsinchu–Miaoli area and mountainous regions of central and southern Taiwan, while other areas will remain mostly cloudy.

From Friday through Sunday morning, cold conditions are expected across Taiwan. On Monday and Tuesday, much of the island will remain under the influence of continental cold air, bringing cooler weather to the north, northeast, and east, along with cold mornings and evenings elsewhere and marked day-to-night temperature differences south of Miaoli.