The northeast monsoon will strengthen tomorrow at the beginning of winter! Lin Deen warns: Northern Taiwan is humid and cool, and coastal areas should be protected against strong winds and long waves

Affected by the northeast monsoon today (6th), there are local short-lived showers in the Yihua area, and there is a chance of local heavy rains. There are local short-lived rains in the north of Taoyuan, Taitung and the Hengchun Peninsula. In this regard, Lin De'en, a doctor of atmospheric sciences at the National Taiwan University, said that tomorrow will be the Beginning of Winter solar term among the 24 solar terms, which represents the official entry of winter in the traditional calendar. Before and after the Beginning of Winter, it is recommended that northern Taiwan and Yilan are prone to cooling and rain when the northeast monsoon strengthens. The daytime in the central and southern parts may still be warm, with a large temperature difference between day and night, and the western plains will gradually enter a drier season. As for the eastern and coastal areas, they need to pay attention to the rainfall, strong winds and long waves brought by the northeast monsoon. On the other hand, if the northeast monsoon interacts with other water and gas systems, locally heavy rainfall may still occur in mountainous areas.

Lin Deen said in a Facebook post that autumn ends and winter begins! Tomorrow, the Beginning of Winter solar term will come again among the 24 solar terms, which means that the traditional calendar officially enters winter. At this time, the northern wind gradually begins to rise, the temperature drops significantly, and the characteristics of the increasing morning and evening temperature difference and the strengthening of the northeast monsoon will become more and more obvious. However, since Taiwan is located in the subtropics, the beginning of winter does not mean that the entire Taiwan will turn cold immediately, but will gradually enter a season when the northeast monsoon becomes more frequent, the north and northeast become wetter and cooler, and the central and southern parts are relatively dry.

Lin Deen pointed out that based on the current seasonal climate characteristics, it is recommended to pay attention before and after the beginning of winter: Northern Taiwan and Yilan are prone to cooling and rain when the northeast monsoon strengthens. The daytime in the central and southern parts may still be warm, with a large temperature difference between day and night, and the western plains will gradually enter a drier season. As for the eastern and coastal areas, they need to pay attention to the rainfall, strong winds and long waves brought by the northeast monsoon. On the other hand, if the northeast monsoon interacts with other water and gas systems, localized heavy rains may still occur in mountainous areas.

Lin De'en bluntly said that the most important climate significance of the beginning of winter to Taiwan is that the northeast monsoon has gradually become the main system affecting the weather. The northern and northeastern regions have become wet and cool, while the central and southern regions have gradually entered a relatively dry season. For ancient agricultural societies, the beginning of winter meant that most autumn crops had been harvested, and farmers needed to store their harvests in warehouses. Animals and insects in nature also began to enter a dormant or hibernating state, recharging their energy in preparation for the arrival of spring.