Taiwan's heavy rain zones to shift south to east, experts say

Taiwan is bracing for a shift in heavy rainfall patterns as the focus of intense downpours moves from the south to the eastern and southeastern parts of the island between August 24 and 25. While the rain is not expected to cease immediately, it is predicted to gradually lessen in intensity. The change is driven by the slow northwestward shift of a low-pressure system and a change in wind direction from southwesterly to west-southwesterly and westerly.

National Taiwan University atmospheric science博士 Lin De-en explained that Taiwan has experienced highly unstable weather since August 23, with significant rainfall concentrated in the southern mountainous areas of Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. Heavy rains also affected other parts of the island, including Pingtung, Taitung, the Hengchun Peninsula, and Hualien mountainous areas.

Lin noted that Taiwan's position within a large, unstable low-pressure system, coupled with strong southwesterly winds transporting moisture, has contributed to the widespread and prolonged heavy rainfall. The formation of Tropical Depression TD24 offshore and its movement, along with slow-moving rain bands, have further complicated the weather situation.

Despite the anticipated easing of rainfall in the south, Lin emphasized that the overall atmospheric instability and abundant moisture will persist due to the continued presence of the low-pressure system. This suggests that while the immediate threat of extreme downpours in one area may recede, the potential for unsettled weather remains across the island.