Weather to affect moon watching during festival

People residing in areas south of Hsinchu County have a better chance of seeing the moon as the nation observes the Mid-

Autumn Festival today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday.

The conditions for moon watching, a tradition observed by many during the festival, would vary by region, the agency said.

Photo courtesy of the Central Weather Administration

Cloudy skies are forecast in the eastern region, Lienchiang County (Matsu), Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan and New Taipei City, while clear skies are forecast in regions south of Hsinchu County, it said.

Specifically, Penghu and Kinmen counties, as well as regions south of Hsinchu County, have better weather for moon watching with sunny to cloudy skies, it said.

Matsu and regions north of Taoyuan are forecast to have cloudy skies and occasional rainfall, but residents might still be able to catch glimpses of the moon, it said.

Cloudy and rainy skies are forecast in the north coast, Keelung, as well as Yilan, Hualien and Taitung counties, the agency said, adding that residents would need to wait patiently for the moon to appear behind the clouds.

People can also watch the Saturn-moon conjunction today, or catch the super moon tomorrow, it said.

As for rainfall, areas in Yilan and Hualien might experience short bursts of heavy rain, while people residing in mountainous areas should be alert to landslides and rockfalls, it said.

Temperatures today are forecast to be relatively high on the west coast due to the east wind subsiding, especially in Taoyuan and Hsinchu County, the agency said, adding that highs could exceed 37°C.

Strong winds might occur in Taipei and New Taipei City, while winds in coastal areas north of Miaoli County, the Hengchun Peninsula, Orchid Island (蘭嶼, Lanyu), Green Island and Kinmen could reach 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale, the agency said.