Thunderstorm in Taipei — 31°C, wind 8 km/h

A thunderstorm rolled through Taiwan's capital Taipei early this Wednesday evening local time, bringing a brief respite from the sticky summer heat.

The storm arrived at around half past one in the afternoon UK time — that's early evening in Taipei — with temperatures sitting at a muggy 31°C. That's roughly what you'd feel on a proper scorcher of a British summer's day, though it's fairly standard August weather for Taiwan.

Light winds and modest rainfall

Winds were gentle at just 8 kilometres per hour, barely enough to rustle the leaves, so this wasn't one of those dramatic tempests that sends garden furniture flying. The storm brought about 0.4 millimetres of rain — not much more than a light sprinkle, really — along with the thunder and lightning that gives these events their name.

For context, half a millimetre of rain is the sort of drizzle that might dampen the pavement but wouldn't trouble your umbrella much. Still, when it arrives with a proper thunderclap overhead, it certainly gets your attention.

Typical summer weather for the region

Thunderstorms are common visitors to Taipei during the summer months, when warm, humid air creates perfect conditions for these brief but dramatic weather events. The city sits in a basin surrounded by mountains, which can trap heat and moisture, making afternoon and evening storms a regular feature of life there.

The storm was still ongoing at the time of reporting, though these systems typically move through fairly quickly in this part of the world.

No reports of damage or disruption have emerged so far, which isn't surprising given the modest wind speeds and light precipitation. Taipei is well accustomed to this sort of weather and built accordingly.

Have you got family or friends out in Taiwan? Ever experienced one of those tropical thunderstorms yourself? They can be quite the spectacle compared to our British drizzle. Do share your stories in the comments below.