A passing cold air mass is forecast to reduce temperatures in northern and northeastern Taiwan to as low as 12-14 degrees Celsius on Saturday as voters go to the polls to vote in a series of referendums, according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB).

Daytime temperatures will start to fall on Friday, with brief showers likely in some parts of the country, particularly coastal regions in the north and mountainous areas in greater Taipei and Yilan County, the CWB said Friday.

Highs of 18-20 degrees are expected in the north, 23-25 degrees in central and eastern Taiwan, and 26-29 degrees in southern areas, the bureau said, noting that the mercury is forecast to drop even further at night.

Wu Der-rong (???), a meteorologist and adjunct associate professor of atmospheric sciences at National Central University, said the weather is forecast to be coldest on Saturday.

In northern Taiwan, lows of 10 degrees can be expected in low-lying areas in the early morning, Wu said.

On Sunday, northern Taiwan can expect drier weather, although brief showers are still possible in some areas while cloudy to sunny skies are forecast south of Hsinchu, he added.

The cold front is expected to weaken on Monday, but rain is forecast in some parts of the country, particularly the south and southeast, due to moisture brought by the periphery of Typhoon Rai, which is expected to turn northwards toward the South China Sea from the northern Philippines, Wu said.

The typhoon is not expected to have a direct impact on Taiwan, according to the meteorologist.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel