Kaohsiung and Pingtung Mountain Areas on Alert for Extremely Heavy Rain; Expert Wu Der-rong Warns of Rain-Induced Disasters

(CNA, Taipei, June 9, Reporter: Chang Hsiung-feng) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a heavy rain advisory today, warning that a stationary front and southwest airflow could bring localized heavy or extremely heavy rain to the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, with heavy rain expected in other regions. Meteorologist Wu Der-rong stated that with the stationary front lingering over Taiwan today and tomorrow, all areas should be vigilant against rain-induced disasters.

The CWA's advisory today notes that the stationary front and southwest airflow can easily lead to short-duration intense rainfall. Today, localized heavy or extremely heavy rain is expected in the mountain areas of Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County. Localized downpours or heavy rain are also likely in Taoyuan City, the mountain areas of Miaoli and Taichung, Nantou County mountains, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, and Taitung County mountains. Other areas and Penghu may experience localized heavy rain.

Wu Der-rong, an adjunct associate professor at National Central University's Department of Atmospheric Sciences, wrote in his column today for the WeatherRisk Explore Inc. that the latest European model simulation shows the stationary front lingering over Taiwan for the next two days. This will extend the duration and expand the area of strong convection. He stressed the need to pay special attention to associated 'severe weather' (lightning, strong winds, sudden downpours) and disasters from heavy rainfall.

Wu added that the latest model simulation indicates the front will shift slightly south on the 11th, giving northern Taiwan a brief respite, but strong convection will continue to develop in the central and southern regions. From the 12th to the 15th, the front will gradually move north again, threatening the entire island with strong convection. This period, accompanied by the 'southwest monsoon,' is characteristic of a 'peak Meiyu season,' requiring continued vigilance against severe weather and disastrous rainfall.

Wu pointed out that according to the latest European model, from the 16th to the 18th, the stationary front will linger in the northern seas, keeping Taiwan within the unstable 'southwest monsoon' zone, with risks of 'severe weather' and rain-induced disasters. While the US model's simultaneous simulation is not identical, it also shows an unstable pattern. As simulations beyond 10 days have greater uncertainty and lower reliability, continuous observation is necessary.