The Central Weather Administration released its season summary on Friday, reporting several exceptional averages and record numbers.
Weather Forecast Center Director Chen Yi-liang (陳怡良) stated that average temperatures have been significantly higher, with all stations in the northern, central, eastern, mountainous areas, and outlying islands of Taiwan recording historically high-temperature records. Overall, monitoring shows an increase of 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than average, the hottest since 1951. In addition to the number of typhoons exceeding the season average by 40%, also a record high, rainfall levels were 80% greater than average, second only to 1998 numbers and the second most rainfall in 74 years.
Chen reassures that recent measurements show the probability of a La Niña event this winter has dropped to 50% and therefore both temperature and rainfall levels will tend towards normalcy in Taiwan. He warns that there will still be cold air fronts arriving in the coming season and everyone should try to keep warm.