If you’ve ever looked into the best time to visit Taiwan, you’ll know: Weather in Taiwan can get fierce.
Messing up when to go to Taiwan can spell the difference between frolicking in the sun under blue skies or getting drenched in storms with winds strong enough to send shih tzus flying through the streets of Taipei.
Don’t let the climate of this sub-tropical island spoil your East Asia travel plans.
Plan your trip with this complete Taiwan weather guide, including advice on the best month to travel to Taiwan, along with tips on where to go, what to expect, and what to wear by season and by month…
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out our other weather & when to go guides and our Taiwan Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
When to go to Taiwan: A weather overview
Taiwan is split between two distinct climate zones. Northern Taiwan lies within a sub-tropical zone while Southern Taiwan sits within the tropical zone.
The differences between the two regions aren’t huge. It’s certainly nothing like the differentials in other destinations in East Asia.
Most of the island is warm year-round with mild winters and hot summers. But warmth is not the issue here.
The real problem with weather in Taiwan is typhoon season, often lasting from July until September.
You’ve probably witnessed some epic Taiwanese typhoons on your local news channel. This is exactly the type of weather you want to avoid when planning your trip!
Weather by season
Spring
- When is spring: From March until May.
- What to expect in spring: Expect warm weather throughout Taiwan. Average lows are between 15ºC and 22ºC (58ºF and 71ºF) and average highs are between 19ºC and 27ºC (65ºF and 79ºF).
- What to wear in spring: Wear light long-sleeved shirt during the day. A heavier long-sleeved shirt for nighttime should be enough to keep you comfortable. (Or, if you’re Canadian, just a short-sleeved shirt!) Keep a lightweight waterproof jacket handy in your daypack.
Summer
- When is summer: From June until August.
- What to expect in summer: Summers are hot and humid throughout Taiwan with thunderstorms and typhoons. Average lows are between 24ºC and 28ºC (72ºF and 82ºF). Average highs are between 27ºC and 31ºC (80ºF and 87ºF). The crazy humidity pushes those highs even higher.
- What to wear in summer: Short-sleeves and shorts should feature heavily in your Taiwan packing list. Keep a solid travel umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket with you at all times.
Autumn
- When is autumn: From September to November.
- What to expect in autumn: Expect cooler temperatures than in summer and much less rain, especially in October and November. Average lows are between 18ºC and 27ºC (64ºF and 80ºF) and average highs are between 27ºC and 30ºC (80ºF and 85ºF).
- What to wear in autumn: In autumn, you’ll need long-sleeve shirts or a light jacket at the most. As always, carry an umbrella in your travel daypack, but don’t expect to need it as often. Autumn is an excellent season to go hiking in Taiwan. Pack a decent pair of hiking shoes.
Winter
- When is winter: From December until February.
- What to expect in winter: Winters are mild, foggy, and relatively dry. Average lows are between 13ºC and 15ºC (55ºC and 58ºC) and average highs are between 17ºC and 19ºC (61ºF and 65ºC). Nighttime temperatures in Northern Taiwan can dip into the single digits (mid-40sºF).
- What to wear in winter: For winter in Taiwan, you’ll need long-sleeved shirts and a versatile all-season coat. Layer it up to keep on top of the ever-changing winter weather.
Visiting Taiwan on a crunch? Make the most out of it with this complete 2-day Taipei itinerary!
Weather by month
January
- Overview: January is the coldest month in Taiwan, but still relatively mild by North American or European standards. Average lows are 13°C (55°F) and average highs are 16°C (61°F).
- Where to go in January: For the warmest winter weather, head toward the sunny skies of Southern Taiwan. Chinese New Year sometimes falls at the end of January. Be sure to book your hotels and flights well ahead if you’re planning to go at this busy time of year.
February
- Overview: February is slightly warmer than January with more rainfall throughout the country. Average lows, mostly centered around Northern Taiwan, are 10°C (50°F) and average highs are around 25°C (77°F).
- Where to go in February: Southern Taiwan is warmer and sunnier in February than the north. Chinese New Year usually takes place in February. It’s a colourful time of year in Taiwan, but also one of the busiest. Reservations are crucial, especially if trying to score one of the best places to stay in Taipei.
March
- Overview: Both the temperatures and rainfall pick up heading into March. The month is generally milder than February with an average low of 14°C (58°F) and an average high of 18°C (65°F).
- Where to go in March: In March, the tropical south is warm enough for a beach vacation. The weather in Northern Taiwan is a bit of a mixed bag. With the cooler weather and increased rainfall, museums and hot springs resorts are popular at this time of year
April
- Overview: The temperature becomes more pleasant moving into April. Rainfall begins to ramp up towards the end of the month as summer approaches. Average low temperatures are 19°C (66°F) and average highs sit around 23°C (74°F).
- Where to go in April: In April, the north is drier than the south. It’s a great month to frolic in the bright spring colours of Yangmingshan National Park. April is also good time to hike up Elephant Mountain in Taipei before the oppressive heat, humidity, and typhoons of summer hit.
May
- Overview: The rainy season (un)officially starts in May. Prepare for an almost daily smattering of afternoon thunderstorms to unleash the heat and humidity. The average low temperature is 21°C (61°F) with an average high of 26ºC (79°F). Expect Southern Taiwan to peak into the 30s.
- Where to go in May: In May, the spring colours are out in full force. Visiting the the national parks is a great choice at this time of year. Dress for the weather and bring a travel umbrella.
Craving some outdoor adventure in Taiwan? Scope out some of the country’s most spectacular late-spring scenery before the heat & humidity of summer kick up on the incredible 2-Day East Coast and Taroko Gorge Scenic Tour!
June
- Overview: With the summer officially hitting, both the heat and rainfall pick up. Average lows sit at about 24°C (75°F) and average highs are 27°C (80°F). Once again, the country’s south is hotter, soaring into the low-30s at times. June is the rainiest month in Taiwan. Plan on getting soaked.
- Where to go in June: As the south is rainier and hotter, the north is a better choice in June. Staying in the cities ensures you’re never far from shelter should a storm shatter your Taiwan travel plan. You’ll enjoy the abundance of air-conditioned shops and restaurants in Taipei.
July
- Overview: Taiwan becomes ultra hot and humid in July. Afternoon thunderstorms brew quickly and typhoons are never out of the question. The average low temperature is 26°C (78ºF) and the average high is 28ºC (83ºF). Expect temperatures with the humidex to climb to 35°C (95ºF). Or more!
- Where to go in July: Unless you have lungs of steel, serious hiking is probably out of the question. Travelling in July means frequent, often weather-induced, breaks. Bring along a travel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated. An urban environment with plenty of opportunity for shelter and air-conditioned indoor activities is a good idea.
Want to experience Taiwan at its finest? Book yourself on the 5-Day Best of Taiwan Tour! The tour visits some of Taiwan’s most epic destinations including:
- Sun Moon Lake
- Taroko Gorge
- Kenting National Park
- East Coast National Scenic Area.
Tour includes entrance fees and transportation to & from Taipei by air-conditioned coach. You’ll also enjoy four nights of 5-star accommodations with breakfast.
August
- Overview: The heat soars into August with an average low of 28ºC (82ºF) and and average high of 31ºC (87ºF). As you’d expect, thunderstorms rock out frequently on August afternoons. The not-so distant chance of an epic typhoon will either excite or terrify you.
- Where to go in August: To cool off from the extreme heat and humidity, pop into the southern beaches for a dip. Taroko Gorge is also popular in August. The summer temperatures are more reasonable here than elsewhere in the country.
September
- Overview: The official start of autumn sees balmy average lows of 27ºC (80ºF) and average highs of 29ºC (85ºF). The south remains warm while the north cools off towards the end of September. Rainfall drops off from August, but is still significant.
- Where to go in September: The beaches of Southern Taiwan are still buzzing in September as sun-worshippers soak up the last month of big heat. Nearly everywhere in the country is more pleasant in September than in July or August.
Ready to dig into the great outdoors? Discover Taiwan’s stunning natural beauty on a 3-Day Sun Moon Lake, Puli and Alishan National Scenic Area Sightseeing Tour! Includes round-trip transportation from Taipei and two nights of 4- to 5-star accommodations.
October
- Overview: Autumn is in full swing by October. Average temperatures “dip” down to a low of 23ºC (74ºF) and a high of 26ºC (79ºF). Rainfall tapers off quite a bit compared to summer, especially later in the month.
- Where to go in October: As long as you avoid the Mid-Autumn Festival, sometimes falling in early October, the month is one of the quietest times of year to travel. As a bonus, you’ll also get to enjoy milder temperatures and less rainfall than the summer months. October is one of the best times to explore Taipei and other Taiwanese cities. Dig into all the top places to visit in Taipei in October to make the most out of the more comfortable temperatures.
November
- Overview: November is cooler than October, with less rainfall. Average low temperatures hover around 18ºC (64ºF), with average highs at 26ºC (80ºF).
- Where to go in November: In November, Taiwan’s national parks become magnets as people flock to wallow in the bright fall colours. Hot spring resorts like Beitou are also popular in autumn. November is low tourist season in Taiwan. You’ll find plenty of space to enjoy the country in relative peace. Cooler evenings make November the perfect month to explore Taipei’s night markets.
Want to move beyond Taipei? Take on new horizons on a 4-Day Central & Southern Taiwan Tour! Highlights include the majestic Sun Moon Lake, the ornate temples of Lukang, and the delightful seaside charms of Kenting National Park.
December
- Overview: December is one of the coldest months in Taiwan. Expect average lows around 13ºC (55ºF) and average highs of 18ºC (64ºF). Along with November, December is the driest month in Taiwan on average.
- Where to go in December: Things start to get chilly in Taiwan in December. Mountain retreats like Yangmingshan National Park are less comfortable in this first month of winter. The south retains some heat in December. Beaches like Kenting Beach still warm enough to swim in.
The verdict: When is the best time to go to Taiwan?
The best month to visit Taiwan is either November or April.
Why visit in November?
With the extreme heat of summer and rainy season long gone, visiting Taiwan in November is a brilliant option.
On average, November is the driest month in Taiwan, tied with December. Warm and comfortable temperatures remain throughout Taiwan.
November is also a great month to experience places like Yangmingshan National Park, where the fall colours are out in full force.
It’s also a far more comfortable month for urban explorers and for escaping Taipei on a day trip. Taiwanese cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung can get oppressively hot (and wet) in summer. November is a welcome change.
The biggest advantage for visiting in November, however, is the lack of crowds.
Finding flight deals to Taipei and discounted accommodation will be much easier. Who knew that choosing the best time to visit Taiwan could also save you money?
Why visit in April?
If you can’t travel in November, visiting Taiwan in April is a fantastic alternative.
The earlier in April you can make it, the better, as rainfall starts to creep up towards the end of the month.
Heading into late spring, the temperatures are starting to warm up. It’ll make for a comfortable trip without the extreme heat of a Taiwanese summer.
By April, the spring bloom is also in full swing. Along with May, April is the most colourful month to travel around Taiwan.
Despite its perks, however, April falls in Taiwan’s high-tourist season. Flights will be harder to come by (mainland Chinese will be flocking here by this time). Accommodations will also book up quickly.
Visiting in April will involve tighter travel planning and a beefier travel budget.
