The Weather in Taiwan
Climate: The Tropic of Cancer goes right through middle of Taiwan bringing tropical and subtropical weather. Taiwan is in essence a rainforest sans trees: thick in humidity and smell, with an average annual temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which can drop down to as low as 54-60 degrees in the winter and reach as high as 90 degrees in the summer. There are many different regions of Taiwan, and its important to note that the south will always be slight hotter, and that there are many cold, mountainous regions which hold snow and are available year round. There are also cool ocean and mountain breezes which provide relief. Surprise: It all depends on where you are.
The Seasons: Summer generally runs from June-September. The weather is hot and the humidity, coupled with pollution from China, can be intense and oppressive. Overall, however, mountain and ocean breezes provide a lot of relief. The skies are blue and the days are long and beautiful. This is a wonderful time to visit: You can eat delicious fruit and lay by the pool. This is also the typhoon season, however, with generally two or three storms passing by the island. You must risk the rainy storm.
Fall runs from mid-September to October. These are drier days, as things tend to cool off and set a chill in the air. The temperatures are moderate and pleasant. Many would say that this time, with little chance of rain, is the best time to visit.
Winter is from November to February. Winters can chill you to the bone as there are rarely heaters or insulation in the buildings in Taiwan. You'll find you still have some good days, and you never encounter snow, except up on the mountain peaks. This is also a wonderful time to visit the Taiwan hot springs.
Spring runs from March to June and is usually known as the rainy season. The rains can come up to five out of the seven days of the week and are absolutely miserable. Average rainfall is around 250 cm (100 in). Taiwan experiences around 2,500 mm per year of rainfall, much coming from typhoons.
Clothes: You'll need some warm clothes, some rain gear, and some light clothes. Overall, you need to be ready for the rain. Consider these amazing water-proof socks which my friends say don't smell for a week. Because thong sandals are considered slippers, you'll be forced to succumb to the Crocs if you don't want to teach in socks. In any case, be ready for everything. More complete and authoritative details can be found over in the clothes "What to Bring" TaiwanEnglish Guide Section.
Typhoons and Earthquakes: The natural disasters of Taiwan are fearsome, though they can be quite awesome to experience if you are well-prepared and realistic. I encountered an earth-quake here about a week ago, which was little more than a slight dizzy spell and noticing that the chandelier had taken an unexpected slant, slowly waving back and forth. Big quakes can hit, but Taiwan hasn't seen one in a while. Most buildings in Taiwan are built to withstand the effects of both earthquakes and typhoons, and will purposefully sway precariously to stay upright.
Typhoons are a different beast. Taiwan experiences around two or three typhoons a year on average. Depending on where you are located in Taiwan, you'll encounter various levels of annoyance and fright. If you're in the mountains, you've got some protection. The Eastern side of Taiwan, facing the ocean, can really be in danger. Your proximity to the ocean is important. Typhoons can last for days and knock over trees, food carts, scooters, and over-all make for a very unpleasant experience. It's important to note, however, that school and government buildings, literally all of Taiwan, will close during a serious typhoon.
In the event of a typhoon, make sure you stock up on plenty of water and food. People always hit the stores hard when they know a big storm is coming. During these types of storms, water can be backed up and off-line for up to a week: no shower, no toilets, no drinking. Always have a few jugs on hand to fill up your toilet's water tank and avoid a stinky nightmare. As of yet, the only thing I've experienced is soggy socks and pants. These have, during my teaching, proven more disastrous than any natural disaster. I've discovered the true value of raincoats and water-proof shoes. A fan, a drier, and a gust of wind have all become invaluable friends during these times.
Pollution: With intense population density, close proximity to China, and a formally heavy industrial complex with a strong presence, air pollution remains a serious problem. in Taiwan. You can taste the pollution especially on hot, humid days, where the problem is exasperated. You'll have to do your own research on its dangers, though many here wear face masks when scootering and avoid running or excessive activity outside on hot, summer days. Personally, I run in the humidity and live to tell the tale. This problem is obvious worse in the cities, and the air up on the mountains is fresh and beautifully crisp. You can check the current levels of air pollution here.
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