Located off the south eastern coastal region of China, across the strait of Taiwan the tiny island of Taiwan experiences a usually oceanic type of climate. However, because of its location Taiwan weather receives abundant influences from the sub tropical monsoon.

Taiwan’s summer season is long, lasting almost five months (May until September) and is characterized by high temperature and humidity, massive rainfall and tropical cyclones. Mean monthly temperatures hover above 68 °F (20 °C) during its early stages, soaring to peaks if 86 °F (30 °C) from June to September. Winters are mild, lasting winter from December until February and average lowland temperature in January is 16° C (61° F) in the north and 20° C (68° F ) in the south. In the areas above 1,200m snow fall occasionally occurs.

Taiwan’s average rainfall stands at 257cm, although levels tend to vary from 127cm in the mid region of the western coastal region, to 635cm or more on the exposed mountain slopes. Between May and September monsoon winds blow from the southeast, becoming northeasterly from October till March.

The region in the extreme south west of Taiwan experiences a dry season throughout the year and is characterized by an almost absolute lack of rainfall,. Between June and October Taiwan is under tropical cyclone alert.