Taiwan braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms, with southern areas facing intensified plum rains

Thunderstorms are expected to lash northern Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung, continuing into the evening hours. Meanwhile, the southern coastal regions of Taiwan, particularly Kaohsiung and Pingtung, are anticipating a significant increase in plum rain intensity from tonight through tomorrow morning.

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The plum rain experience voucher for the southern coastal areas will take effect tonight.

The Central Weather Administration issued heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings for 15 counties this afternoon. New Taipei City and the mountainous areas of Yilan County have been upgraded to a torrential rain warning. The agency also noted the possibility of intense, short-duration rainfall accompanied by strong gusts, lightning, and thunder in Nantou, Yunlin, Taichung, and Changhua counties.

Residents in affected areas are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods, landslides, falling rocks, and rising water levels in rivers and streams. Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to flooding. The warnings are in effect until this evening for most areas, with specific advisories for thunderstorms lasting until 5:43 PM in certain central regions.

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The afternoon thunderstorms will be 'blooming in multiple spots' across Taiwan.

Weather enthusiasts on social media platform "Taiwan Typhoon Forum" noted that afternoon thunderstorms would be widespread across the island, with only the western coastal areas potentially escaping the rain. They cautioned against relying solely on built-in weather apps, which they described as often inaccurate, especially for predicting localized phenomena like afternoon thunderstorms or plum rains. The forum also clarified that the most intense phase of the plum rain front is expected after tomorrow, advising against premature panic over long-range forecasts.

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The truly strong plum rain front will only arrive after tomorrow.