To better prepare cyclists for their two-wheeled journey in Taiwan, we created additional information on various topics such as traveling with the bike on trains/public transport, etc.
In this post, we deal with the weather. By definition, Taiwan has a maritime sub-tropical climate: it’s hot and humid for most of the year. The annual average temperature in Taiwan generally ranges from 22°C to 24.5°C (71°F to 76°F), varying by location. The northern region has an annual mean of about 22°C, while the tropical southern and coastal areas average around 24°C to 25°C.
Seasonal Averages Summer (May to October): Average highs frequently sit between 28°C and 35°C (82°F to 95°F). High humidity often pushes the perceived “real feel” temperature past 38°C (100°F).
Winter (December to February): Average lows range from 13°C to 17°C (55°F to 63°F), though strong cold surges can briefly drop temperatures in low-lying areas below 10°C.
This, however, doesn’t tell you the full story of what to expect in Taiwan. As one of the most mountainous islands in the world, with 270 peaks exceeding 3,000m in altitude, once the rider goes up, the temperature goes down dramatically, especially in winter. The rule of thumb for altitude/temperature differential is universal; for each 1,000m ascent, the temperature drops by 6°C. What this tells you is that you could very easily be riding on the coast enjoying 24°C, but on the highest mountain pass at Wuling, 3,275m (Taiwan KOM), it’s going to be 6°C or lower with a ‘real feel’ of 0°C.and it gets snow every year.
Bearing this in mind, we have produced this post to help you to prepare for your ride, and as every schoolboy knows, there are no bad weather days, only bad clothing/equipment choices.
The heat factor: it’s sweltering in summer, and just last week, May 2026, new records were set in the north with the midday temperatures rising to 38 – 39°C. The sensible thing to do would be to stay at home in the A/C, but there’s no reason not to ride. Timing is the key; you don’t have to go out at noon to see just how hot it is. Instead, if you are in the city, then consider riding early or late.
If you leave home by 6 am, it’s easy to get a couple of hours in before it starts getting really hot. Likewise, late afternoon, around 4 pm, it starts to cool down, allowing you to get a decent training session in.
Wind direction: In general, the wind blows from the north in winter and south in summer, but it ain’t necessarily so. From October to March, there is a high chance of a powerful tailwind on the west coast. Every year, various events are held from Taipei heading south on the west coast. Noteworthy is the “Bei Gao” (北高), an iconic North-to-South endurance ride that spans 380 kilometers from Taipei (North) to Kaohsiung (South). Depending on the time of year, you can get winds blowing in all directions in any season. If there’s a typhoon forecast, plan for a rest day or two.
Taiwan’s rainfall varies significantly by season and region. Northern Taiwan is generally wetter throughout the year, with frequent rain and damp conditions from autumn through spring due to the northeast monsoon. Southern Taiwan has a much drier winter but experiences most of its rainfall during the summer months, when afternoon thunderstorms and tropical systems are common. The plum rain season (May–June) brings widespread wet weather across the island, while typhoon season (July–October) can produce heavy rain, strong winds, and road closures, particularly in the mountains.
Clothing on hot days. White sleeves are more effective than sunscreen, which you’ll have to reapply if you are out all day. Heat exhaustion means you need to get out of the sun, rest for an hour or two, or go inside with A/C. Heat stroke is what happens when you fail to recognize what is happening with heat exhaustion and you are going to end up in hospital.
Hydration – Ice, ice baby. There are probably more convenience stores in Taiwan than any other country on the planet. Electrolytes are abundant, with Super Supau, Pocari Sweat, and Fin being some of the most popular brands.
Hydration systems. Insulated water bottles and CamelBak; Freeze or put ice in these before you head out; a cold drink is going to work better to quench your thirst.
Hyponatremia: this is what happens when you are sweating too much, and you are losing essential salts from your blood. Salty snacks are a good way to offset it. Hypothermia, when it sets in, means there is now a risk to life. Wet clothing has to be removed, and you need to get into shelter of some sort. Three layers is the rule of thumb: base layer, warm layer, and an outer waterproof shell will get you through most situations.
