Seasons of the Year Seasons in Taiwan
Taiwan is the island near coasts of China that lies on border of two climatic zones. Northern part of island has subtropical climate with wet summer and dry cool winter. Southern part of Taiwan has pronounced monsoon tropical climate with minor changes of temperature through whole year. Instead there are dry and rainy seasons.
Precipitation level is high in both parts of Taiwan but northern part has more even distribution of rains in the year. However time between November and February may be considered as dry season on whole territory of the island. Southern part is almost completely dry during this period and northern have moderate occasional rains.
Seasons
Contents:
March-May in Taiwan
In terms of weather three spring months in Taiwan are gradual transition between dry and rainy seasons. Average daytime temperature of March is 23 °C (73 °F). Amount of precipitation gradually grows reaching its peak by the end of May.
Rainy Season (May to October)
Water is still too cold for seaside vacations (except final decade of May) but at March sakura begins bloom as well as other exotic plants. This feature attracts many visitors even despite beginning of rainy season. In general spring is suitable time to visit Taiwan if purpose of the vacation has no deal to seaside fun.
Climate from March to May
| March Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (58 °F) Water t°: +19.5 °C (67 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 31 mm (1.2") |
| April Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Water t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 29 mm (1.1") |
| May Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Water t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 59 mm (2.3") |
(Taipei)
Holidays
March 12 – Arbor Day.
March 29 – Youth Day.
April 4 – The Combined Holidays of Women's Day and Children's Day.
May 1 – Labor Day.
May 4 - Literary Day.
Second Sunday of May – Mother's Day.
June-August in Taiwan
Heat, humidity and showers those are three words that completely describe summer in Taiwan. In addition southern part of the island has strong winds than occasionally grows into typhoons. Average summer temperature here is about 35 °C (95 °F) and humidity reaches 92%. It is not recommended to visit at summer.
Northern portion is another pair of shoes. There’s moderate influence of cyclones so weather is bearable and water is warm. Seaside activities are the best way to spend summer vacation on northern part of Taiwan. Water warms up to 26 °C (79 °F) and rains of winds aren’t that big concerns.
Climate from June to August
| June Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Water t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.8") |
| July Max average t°: +32 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Water t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Sundial in the day:10.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 53 mm (2.1") |
| August Max average t°: +31.5 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Water t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 114 mm (4.5") |
(Taipei)
Holidays
1 June – children's day.
June 3 – Opium Suppression Movement Day.
August 8 – Father's Day.
Locals also have lots of celebrations bonded to Lunar and Chinese calendars.
September-November in Taiwan
September on Taiwan is roughly divided in half between rests of rainy season and beginning of tourist’s season. So visitors would want to stay in northern part of the island. November bring sunny weather and significantly lesser amount of precipitation. This is the time when all potential of the island is revealed.
November is cooler with about 24 °C (75 °F) of temperature of air and 17 °C(63 °F) of water. Weather is windy so it is preferable to choose activities which are not connected with sea. Luckily Taiwan offers numerous ways to spend vacation on land. There are even some mountains for hiking and other kinds of activities.
Climate from September to November
| September Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F) Water t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days:4 days Precipitation: 93 mm (3.7") |
| October Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +20.5 °C (69 °F) Water t°: +25.5 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 79 mm (3.1") |
| November Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Water t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 64 mm (2.5") |
(Taipei)
Holidays
September 1 – Journalist' Day.
September 3 – Armed Forces Day.
October 4 – Mid-Autumn Festival.
October 10 – National Day/Double Tenth Day.
October 21 – Overseas Chinese Day.
October 25 – Taiwan Retrocession Day.
November 12 - Sun Yat-sen's Birthday.
December-February in Taiwan
Comparing to other seasons winter in Taiwan is cool season. It is the middle of dry season but northern regions still have some occasional drizzle. It is good time for all activities except swimming. Sea is quite cold at winter with about 10 °C (50 °F).
Dry Season (November-December to April)
Due to duality of climate of Taiwan winter months (along with October and March) are better to visit southern regions. Traveling to mountains or northern portion of the island will be better at summer. There will be no actual cold in Taiwan at winter yet temperature may drop to about 14 °C (57 °F) so you would want to grab some pants and sweaters just in case.
Climate from December to February
| December Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Water t°: +20.5 °C (69 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4") |
| January Max average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Min average t°: +12.5 °C (55 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 52 mm (2.1") |
| February Max average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Min average t°: +12.5 °C (55 °F) Water t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 41 mm (1.6") |
(Taipei)
Holidays
Winter solstice – Dōngzhì Festival.
December 25 – Constitution Day.
January 1 - Founding of the Republic of China (also New Year's Day).
Somewhere between middle of January and middle February - Lunar New Year's Eve and Lunar New Year.
February 28 – Peace Memorial Day.
