The Central Weather Service (CWA) is looking to amend the Meteorological Act to classify “high temperatures” as “dangerous weather,” enabling legal grounds for possible work or school closures during extreme heat events. CWA administrator Lu Kuo-Chen announced that proposed amendments will be submitted for review later this year.
The agency has been monitoring temperature trends and working with the newly formed High Temperature Response Alliance to develop strategies based on scientific data, including temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. The CWA currently uses a color-coded warning system for high temperatures, and experts argue that designating these temperatures as “dangerous” could enhance public awareness and response.
However, some experts believe that instead of closures, alternative measures like adjusting work hours might be more effective. They stress that the nature and duration of high temperatures differ from extreme weather events like typhoons, necessitating further discussion on appropriate responses. Recently, the CWA issued heat warnings across various regions, signaling the urgency of addressing the health and productivity impacts of increasingly frequent high temperature days.
Source link
