TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The strongest cold air mass of the winter is expected to hit Taiwan from Friday through Sunday, with low temperatures in northern Taiwan potentially falling below 7 C, meteorologist Wu De-rong (吳德榮) said.

The Central Weather Administration issued an orange cold surge advisory for sustained temperatures of 10 C in Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and Yilan County, per CNA. A yellow alert for temperatures possibly dipping below 10 C was issued for Taichung, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi, Chiayi County, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien County, and Kinmen County.

Wu said the cold front is expected to dominate through Sunday morning. He added that it is likely the first strong continental cold air mass of the winter, with temperatures at Taipei Station dropping to around 11 C and lowland minimums in the north falling below 7 C.

He said northern and northeastern Taiwan will see brief, localized showers on Friday, while eastern Taiwan may experience occasional light rain. The north will remain cold throughout the day, with central and southern regions seeing colder conditions in the mornings and evenings.

Wu forecast ranges of 9–14 C in the north, 11–21 C in central areas, 12–24 C in the south, and 11–23 C in the east. He said conditions will turn sunny, dry, and cold on Saturday and Sunday, with very low temperatures persisting overnight and in the early morning.

Wu said the cold air will weaken from daytime Sunday through Monday evening, bringing sunny and relatively comfortable daytime conditions but chilly mornings and nights. Another cold air mass is expected to arrive from Monday evening to Tuesday morning, bringing brief, localized rain to the north and east.