Temps to drop below 8 C before cold wave eases Thursday

Temps to drop below 8 C before cold wave eases Thursday

2024-01-24

With a strong cold wave underway, at least 300 people have died from cardiac arrest over the past four days. Doctors say that when temperatures suddenly drop, older adults and people with high blood pressure are especially at risk of cardiovascular issues. The cold weather will continue tonight with lows of 6 degrees in some parts of the island. But temperatures will start to climb starting Thursday.

It’s no longer snowing at Yilan’s Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area. But frost remains on the trees, drawing many tourists up the mountain.

At Yushan’s weather station, workers braved the cold to clear snow from solar panels. The frigid conditions also extended to the plains. The lowest temperature on Wednesday morning was recorded in Nangan in the Matsu Islands, at just 2.9 degrees. Forecasters say the cold wave isn’t over yet.

Lo Ya-yin
CWA forecaster
The areas in light blue could see lows of 10 degrees or less. As you can see, temperatures could drop to 10 degrees and under in Kaohsiung, areas north of Kaohsiung, as well some areas of Yilan and Hualien. In central and northern Taiwan, as well as some areas of Yilan and Hualien, lows could dip below 8 degrees. If radiative cooling gets strong, open areas near mountains and inland could see temperatures of less than 6 degrees.

The Central Weather Administration says the cold won’t relent until Thursday.

Lo Ya-yin
CWA forecaster
After the cold wave starts to weaken tomorrow, daytime temperatures will bounce back. Northeasterly winds will still prevail around Taiwan, and winds may come from the east. So in windward areas in Northern Taiwan, temperatures will rebound, but they will do so more slowly. In the north, it won’t be as cold as it has been these past two days, but it will still be rather cool.

According to the National Fire Agency, there were 313 cases of non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest over the past four days in Taiwan.

Lin Wei-wen
Cardiologist
We have seen a growing number of younger patients. We’re starting to see people in their 40s and 50s. So I’d like remind everyone that sudden death is not something that just happens to older adults. It can also happen at a younger age, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipids or if you have cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle, if you experience a lot of stress, or if you work at night and sleep during the day, you should also be especially careful.

The doctor says younger adults are also at risk of sudden death.

Lin Wei-wen
Cardiologist
Difficulty breathing, chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath -- if you feel lethargic, palpitations, dizziness or cold sweats, all those could be warning signs for cardiac arrest.

The doctor says that sudden chest pain and tightness, difficulty breathing, or difficulty in moving limbs could be signs of an impending cardiac arrest. If these symptoms arise, seek medical help as soon as possible to prevent tragedy.

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