Taipei sits in a basin surrounded by mountains in northern Taiwan, an island that sits squarely in the path of the Western Pacific typhoon belt, and the city receives around 2,400 mm (about 94 inches) of rain a year, with typhoon season from July through October responsible for some of the most intense rainfall events. The surrounding mountains can trap and intensify rainfall from approaching typhoons, sometimes producing extreme localized totals that cause both urban flooding in the basin and landslides on the steeper terrain nearby. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration issues detailed typhoon warnings well ahead of landfall, but the exact rainfall distribution around Taipei’s basin can vary significantly depending on a storm’s precise track relative to the surrounding mountains. Because that local variation matters so much here, radar imagery is widely used to see exactly where the heaviest bands are setting up rather than relying on an island-wide forecast alone. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration operates the national weather radar network, including a station at Wu-Fen-Shan.
Learn more: Hurricane Season Radar Guide · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Taipei right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Taipei in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Taipei, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Taipei rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Taipei?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Taiwan are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Taipei or pass by.
Is this Taipei rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.