CLIMATE OF TAIWAN: SEASONS, RAINS, DROUGHTS, REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

CLIMATE OF TAIWAN

climate map for Taiwan

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan has a humid-sub tropical climate with abundant rainfall. Taiwan lies off the southeastern coast of the Asian continent, where the tropical and subtropical zones converge. The country is surrounded by the sea and dominated by high mountains, both of which have a strong influence on climate.

The monsoon season, known in Chinese as the "plum rain season," usually begin in May or June. in northern Taiwan The rain can be quite heavy at times. The humidity is 80 percent and the high temperatures are usually in the 20s C (70s and 80s F). Taipei's stormy, humid climate has given rise to the saying "The weather in Taipei is like a stepmother's temper." The typhoon season is from July and October.

The subtropical climate is affected by two weather patterns: a continental monsoon that brings cool, wet weather to the northern half of the island between October and March and an ocean monsoon that brings rain to the southern half between April and September. Cloudiness is persistent and extensive year-round. The mean annual rainfall in the Taiwan area is around 250 centimeters (100 inches), In some years in some places in Taiwan get up to 500 centimeters (200 inches) or rain.

Regional Difference of the Taiwan climate

Taiwan’s local climates are strongly influenced by elevation and location on the island, which give rise to a a wide variety of climates, ranging from tropical to frigid. The average annual temperature is generally higher in the plains than in the mountains and plateaus. Variations in weather and elevation give Taiwan an unparalleled richness of flora and fauna.

The southwest part of Taiwan is generally drier and warmer than the north, and the temperatures are generally cooler in the highlands and along the coast. Average temperature readings for January are 61°F (16°C) in the north and 68°F (20°C) in the south, while the average July temperature in both regions is 82°F (28°C). [Source: Geo-Data: The World Geographical Encyclopedia, The Gale Group Inc., 2003]

The rainiest season in the north is winter, whereas the rainiest season in the south is in summer. There are heavier rainfalls in the north and south and slightly lower levels in the east and central regions.

Seasons in Taiwan

Summers, which usually last from May to September, are hot and humid. The humidity is 90 percent and high temperatures are usually in the 30s C (90s F). Winters, from December through February, are short and mild, with occasional fog and rain. The humidity is 60 percent and high temperatures are usually range in the low 20s C (from the high 50s to low 70s F) in Taipei. The temperatures can sometimes drop into the teens C (40s F) at night in Taipei. In the mountains temperatures are lower. Snow often falls in the higher mountains.

Weather conditions fluctuate during spring and winter, while in summer and autumns the weather is relatively stable. Taiwan is most pleasant in the autumn months of October and November and the slightly wetter spring months of March and April. Summer weather lasts from April to November; with hot days and high high humidity. From December to March the temperatures drop and are eve cool at times; still, the mean temperature for these months is about 15°C (59°F). [Source: “Culture and Customs of Taiwan” by Gary Marvin Davison Barbara E. Reed, Greenwood Press, 1998]

The lowest monthly average rainfall is normally in November, at 6.6 centimeters (2.6 inches), the greatest is in August, with 30.5 centimeters (12 inches). Most rain falls between May and October, and the driest months are between November and February. Average temperatures range between 12°C and 18°C (53°F and 64°F) in the coldest month (February) and 24° C to 33° C (75°F and 91°F) in the hottest month (July). [Source: Library of Congress, March 2005]

Rainy Seasons in Taiwan

The northeast, or "winter," monsoon brings heavy rains to the northern part of the island between October and March, while the southwest, or "summer," monsoon brings rain to the south between May and September. The summer months also bring dangerous typhoons and cyclones. [Source: Geo-Data: The World Geographical Encyclopedia, The Gale Group Inc., 2003]

Nearly 90 percent of the precipitation occurs during the summer in the south . During the rainiest season in the north (March to May), continuous drizzling sometimes occurs. When visiting Taiwan during this period, remember to carry an umbrella at all time.

The rainy season in northern Taiwan coincides more or less with the rainy seasons in Thailand, Cambodia and Burma (from June to October). But is different from the rainy season on the west coast of Malaysia (from September to November) and from the one in Singapore, Borneo, Indonesia and the east coast of Malaysia (November to January). The rainy season in southern China is generally most intense in June and July.

Rains fall throughout the year and rainfall ranges from 127 centimeters (50 inches) at the middle of the western coast to 635 centimeters (250 inches) and more on exposed mountain slopes. Only the extreme southwest has a distinct dry season.

Typhoons in Taiwan

The typhoon season is from May to January and Taiwan sometimes gets hammered by these tropical storms. Taiwan's coastline is battered every year by up to 10 storms, sometimes killing people and causing considerable damge. thousands of people. The East China Sea and the Philippine Sea to the east of Vietnam provide one of the most frequently used paths for Pacific typhoons originating near the Philippines to strike Asia. Typhoons and tropical storms that hit Taiwan can trigger flash floods and landslides. Some meteorologist predict that global warming will bring more rain to the region more rain, stronger typhoons and higher sea levels and make the flooding problem worse.

Typhoons regularly hit Taiwan during July to September each year. In recent years typhoons have caused loss of life and destruction of crops and have hit the eastern and southern coasts particularly hard. Typhoons are sometimes accompanied by storm surges. Taiwan's typhoon early warning system is highly effective and there is usually no danger as long as warnings are heeded. Planes, however, may be delayed or diverted.

Severe Drought in Taiwan in 2021

In 2021, Taiwan experienced its most severe drought in more than half a century. The crisis developed after an unusually dry year in which no typhoon made landfall on the island, the first time this had occurred since 1964. Typhoons normally provide a significant share of Taiwan’s annual rainfall and help replenish reservoirs. Their absence, combined with below-average seasonal rainfall, caused water levels across the island to fall dramatically.[Source: Amy Chang Chien and Mike Ives, New York Times, May 27, 2021]

The drought was especially severe in central Taiwan, including the city of Taichung and surrounding agricultural and industrial regions. Reservoirs that supplied millions of people fell to critically low levels, in some cases holding only 1 to 2 percent of their normal storage capacity. The exposed bottoms of reservoirs and lakes became cracked, dusty landscapes, while receding shorelines revealed features that had been underwater for decades. At Sun Moon Lake, falling water levels exposed historical structures and previously submerged land.

The water shortage affected households, agriculture, and industry. Authorities imposed water rationing measures in several cities, cutting residential water supplies for two days each week. Farmers faced irrigation restrictions, and the government suspended irrigation across large areas of farmland to conserve water. Some businesses and restaurants also adjusted operations because of limited water availability.

To address the crisis, the government implemented a range of emergency measures. Water was drawn from groundwater wells and desalination plants, while cloud-seeding operations were conducted in an effort to increase rainfall. Reservoir releases were carefully managed, and additional infrastructure was deployed to transport water to affected communities. Officials warned that restrictions could become more severe if substantial rainfall did not arrive.

Scientists linked the drought to a combination of short-term weather patterns and longer-term climate trends. The immediate cause was a prolonged lack of rainfall, while some researchers suggested that climate change may be contributing to a decline in the frequency of typhoons reaching Taiwan. The drought highlighted concerns about the island's long-term water security and the need for improved water management and conservation policies.

Praying for Rain During the 2021 Drought

As the drought intensified, many people in Taiwan closely followed weather forecasts and hoped for rainfall that could replenish the island's depleted reservoirs. Public attention focused on reservoir water levels, and images of dried lakebeds and shrinking reservoirs circulated widely in the media and on social networks. Rainstorms, even small ones, attracted significant public interest because they offered hope of relief from the water shortage. New Zealand Geography,

Communities adopted a variety of water-conservation practices to cope with rationing. Households stored water in buckets, tanks, and containers before scheduled shutoffs. Residents reused water whenever possible, collecting water from showers, sinks, and other household activities for flushing toilets and watering plants. Water-saving tips were widely shared online, and conservation became a common topic of discussion across the island. [Source: Amy Chang Chien and Mike Ives, New York Times, May 27, 2021]

The drought also inspired symbolic and cultural responses. In Taichung, irrigation officials organized a traditional rain-praying ceremony at a temple, the first such event there since 1963. The ceremony reflected the seriousness of the drought and the importance of water to agriculture and daily life. It also demonstrated how traditional practices continued to play a role during times of environmental stress.

Public concern was evident in many other ways. Thousands of people watched online broadcasts of thunderstorms over reservoirs, hoping the rain would increase water storage. Some businesses modified their services to reduce water consumption, while others promoted conservation efforts among customers. The water shortage became a shared national concern that affected urban and rural communities alike.

The drought encouraged many residents to reconsider their use of water. Experts noted that Taiwan's domestic water consumption was relatively high compared with many other countries, partly because water prices were low. The crisis sparked discussions about conservation, infrastructure improvements, and long-term adaptation to increasingly frequent extreme weather events. For many people, the drought served as a reminder of the growing challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity.

Rainbow in Taiwan “Lasts Record-Breaking Nine Hours'

In late November 2017, a rainbow observed over the campus of the Chinese Culture University in Taipei lasted for nearly nine hours, making it a candidate for the longest-lasting rainbow ever recorded. Faculty members and students in the university's Department of Atmospheric Sciences documented the phenomenon through photographs, videos, and direct observations. [Source: Cindy Sui, BBC News, Taipei, December 4, 2017]

According to the university's records, the rainbow first appeared at 6:57 a.m. and remained visible until 3:55 p.m., for a total duration of 8 hours and 58 minutes. If verified, it would surpass the previous record recognized by Guinness World Records, a rainbow observed in Yorkshire, England, in March 1994 that lasted six hours. Rainbows typically remain visible for far shorter periods, often less than an hour.

The observation effort was led by professors Chou Kun-hsuan and Liu Ching-huang. After several hours of continuous visibility, the department organized students and other members of the university community to photograph and record the rainbow. Thousands of images were collected in an effort to document the event and provide evidence for a Guinness World Records application.

The atmospheric conditions that produced the unusually long-lasting rainbow included a seasonal northeast monsoon, abundant moisture in the air, cloud cover, sunlight, and relatively light winds of about 2.5 to 5 meters per second. These conditions allowed the rainbow to remain visible throughout much of the day.

Such weather patterns are common during winter in the Yangmingshan mountain region north of Taipei, where the university is located. The area's combination of mountainous terrain, frequent moisture, and favorable lighting conditions makes it well suited for observing rainbows. Researchers noted that a similarly long-lasting rainbow had been observed at the same location only a few days earlier, suggesting that the local environment can occasionally produce exceptionally persistent atmospheric displays.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: CIA World Factbook; Tourism Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan); “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Library of Congress, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated June 2026