The weather will remain cold through the beginning of the new year across Taiwan, dropping steadily from Friday. The coldest stretch is expected to hit Friday lasting through Saturday morning, when much of the nation is forecast to dip below 10°C. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) urges the public to take precautions against the cold when going out. 

The cold front intensified early Friday, with New Taipei’s Shimen District hitting a low of 9.3°C with further drops on the way. The CWA forecasts temperatures below 10°C Friday evening through Saturday morning, for everywhere north of Tainan, Yilan, Hualien, the East Rift Valley, mountainous areas near Kaohsiung and Pingtung, and the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu. 

Temperatures should rebound Sunday to above 20°C, but another cold mass will arrive on Monday, keeping most of next week chilly. Watch for fog or low clouds south of Chiayi from Monday, and slim snow chances on northern mountains at altitudes of 1500-2000 meters on January 9.